Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a waiver Wednesday that will allow restaurants with a mixed beverage permit to sell beer, wine, or mixed drinks for delivery as long as the customer also orders food.

The waiver is meant to mitigate the financial hardship caused by COVID-19, which Abbott says has disproportionately affected the hospitality industry.

"The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees," Abbott wrote in a statement. "These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing."

Governor Abbott has also directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to waive certain provisions to allow manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of alcoholic beverages to repurchase or sell back unopened product.

The buy-back waiver will allow alcohol distributors and manufacturers to repurchase excess inventory from restaurants, bars, and clubs affected by event cancellations due to COVID-19.

The news came a few hours after Bell County issued a local disaster declaration that bans gatherings of 50 or more people and requires that restaurants suspend dine-in services and only offer drive-thru, delivery, or carry-out options.

Next time you order from your favorite local restaurant (and hopefully one that's locally owned), you can order that drink you've needed all day too.

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