Sixty more Pa. liquor stores set to reopen in yellow counties on Friday

Cheers to this one.

Sixty more state-owned liquor stores will reopen Friday in yellow-phase counties, bringing the number of currently operating wine and spirits outlets to 349 stores in 56 of 67 counties, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

According to the PLCB, the 349 stores offering limited in-store public access as of Friday are located in the following counties: One in Adams County, 71 in Allegheny County, three in Armstrong County, nine in Beaver County, two in Bedford County, five in Blair County, four in Bradford County, nine in Butler County, 10 in Cambria County, one in Cameron County, four in Carbon County, six in Centre County, four in Clarion County, five in Clearfield County, two in Clinton County, two in Columbia County, four in Crawford County, 10 in Cumberland County, 14 in Dauphin County, two in Elk County, 15 in Erie County, seven in Fayette County, two in Forest County, five in Franklin County, one in Fulton County, two in Greene County, two in Huntingdon County, four in Indiana County, four in Jefferson County, one in Juniata County, four in Lawrence County, four in Lebanon County, 16 in Luzerne County, seven in Lycoming County, four in McKean County, five in Mercer County, one in Mifflin County, eight in Monroe County, one in Montour County, four in Northumberland County, two in Perry County, two in Pike County, two in Potter County, nine in Schuylkill County, one in Snyder County, four in Somerset County, one in Sullivan County, three in Susquehanna County, three in Tioga County, two in Union County, three in Venango County, two in Warren County, 10 in Washington County, three in Wayne County, 23 in Westmoreland County, one in Wyoming County, and 13 in York County.

If you’re planning to pick up your favorite tipple at any of those outlets, the state has a few ground rules to keep in mind. They are:

• “Stores will limit the number of customers in a store at any time, allowing no more than 25 people (employees and customers) in any location and further restricting numbers of customers in smaller stores.
• “The first hour each store is open each day will be reserved for customers at high risk for COVID-19, including those 65 years of age and older. Voluntary compliance from all customers is encouraged in the interest of protecting the health and safety of our most vulnerable community members.
• “Customers and employees will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing, guided by signage throughout the stores.
• “Signage will also direct customers to follow one-way patterns to avoid cross-traffic and encourage them to refrain from touching products unless they intend to buy them.
• “Store employees will perform enhanced and frequent cleaning and disinfecting, and store hours will be modified to ensure appropriate time for cleaning and restocking.
• “All sales are final, and no returns will be accepted until further notice,” the PLCB said in a statement.

The agency said it will also continue accepting online orders at FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com.  According to preliminary, unaudited figures, e-commerce sales from April 1 through May 28 total more than 204,000 orders for $19.6 million, excluding sales tax. In fiscal year 2018-19, e-commerce sales between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, totaled 39,000 orders for $5 million.