The Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, in downtown Harrisburg. Photo: Shutterstock

Gov. Tom Wolf on May 21 signed House Bill 327 to allow the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license. The law takes effect immediately.

"This new temporary rule creates more business for bars and restaurants when they need it, helps to meet customer demand and supports social distancing," Wolf said. "As we approach the holiday weekend, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to remember to drink responsibly."

The law applies to bars, restaurants and hotels that have lost 25% of average monthly total sales during the COVID-19 emergency. The beverages must be sold in containers with a secure lid in quantities from 4 oz. to 64 oz. before 11 p.m. An additional seal is required on the straw opening of a lid. Within 60 days, bars and restaurants must use a transaction scan device to verify a consumer's age if the person appears to be younger than 35 years of age.

"Our local restaurants are working hard to feed our communities during this difficult time," said state Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, the prime sponsor of the bill. "Act 21 both streamlines the process for residents to decide whether to permit alcohol sales in a 'dry' municipality and allows restaurants to add another product for their customers for curbside pickup and takeout during this crisis. I thank Governor Wolf and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this bill."

The temporary rule expires after the COVID-19 disaster emergency ends and a business reaches 60% capacity.

The Wolf administration said Pennsylvania's open container law would still apply.

The bill was designated Act 21 of 2020.