Bars and restaurants in Medellín can now sell liquor on their premises. This is after a ban for over five months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This was announced on Tuesday, September 15, by the mayor of Medellín, Daniel Quintero, when he also reported that the city reached the goal of having a thousand ICU beds to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Quintero said:

The discipline and order of Medellín have been an example of economic reopening, not only in the country but in Latin America. Today we have almost all the sectors open and the authorization for the sale of liquor is a sign of the good performance that the city has today.

Starting on September 15 until midnight each night, bars and restaurants in the city are authorized to sell liquor in their commercial premises. For over five months, they had only been able to sell liquor via home delivery.

Día de Amor y Amistad in Colombia

Good News for Día de Amor y Amistad

This news about bars and restaurants being able to sell liquor comes just before the celebration of Día de Amor y Amistad on Saturday, September 19.

Día de Amor y Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship) is celebrated the third Saturday of September every year in Colombia.

This is essentially the Valentine’s Day of Colombia. It is a traditional celebration in Colombia in which lovers, husbands and wives, couples and friends express their love and affection.

In Colombia, for weeks before this day in September you will start to see hearts adorn restaurants, shops and bars. And in 2020, Día de Amor y Amistad is on Saturday, September 19.

The bar at Dante Cucina Italiana in Medellín

Resolution 1569 Permits Bars and Restaurants to Sell Liquor

The Ministry of Health in Colombia signed Resolution 1569 on September 7, 2020, which allows the sale and consumption of liquor in bars and restaurants. However, it is up to the mayors in Colombia to permit this within their municipalities.

With this resolution the mayors can request authorization from the Ministry of the Interior to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages inside bars and restaurants.

And on September 15, the Mayor of Medellín authorized bars and restaurants to sell liquor on premises.

What about other municipalities in the Aburrá Valley? We checked with a few restaurants in Envigado and Sabaneta and they said they can now sell liquor on premise.

Why is this important?  Liquor reportedly represents about 40 percent of sales in restaurants, and up to 85 percent of sales in bars.

Over 6,000 restaurants opened for table service in Medellín on August 31

Over 6,000 Restaurants Reopened on August 31

Over 6,000 restaurants opened for table service in Medellin on August 31 in a new stage of economic activation after 5 months of closure.

The restaurant sector generates more than 90,000 formal and informal jobs in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.

Despite the fact that restaurants have been able to operate since April during the quarantine through domicilio (home delivery) and takeout service, the reopening of table service opens the possibility for restaurants to increase business, while respecting biosafety protocols.

However, these restaurants were not able to sell liquor after reopening for table service on August 31 until now.

According to Resolution 1050 of 2020 of the Ministry of Health, which regulates the operation of these establishments, restaurants must guarantee an area of 6.5 feet (​​2 meters) between groups of tables, adapt their bathrooms to avoid contact and offer reservations if possible.

The bar at Cuon, a popular Asian fusion restaurant in Medellín

The Bottom Line: Bars and Restaurants in Medellín Can Now Sell Liquor

Bars and Restaurants in Medellín can finally sell liquor on premise after a ban for over five months.

By being able to sell liquor, bars and restaurants can now offer 100 percent of their menus. This is good news for thousands of businesses in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.

So, you can now go out and enjoy liquor with your meal at restaurants in Medellín.

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