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Booze panic ends as stores plan to remain open, GNWT says

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The parking lot of the Liquor Store on 49th St. was noticeably less busy on Thursday compared to Wednesday. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

Liquor stores will remain open with regular hours of operation, a GNWT spokesperson told NNSL Media on Thursday.

The confirmation comes a day after the Liquor Store in downtown Yellowknife was inundated with customers in mid-day following a rumour that booze outlets would be closed amid COVID-19 restrictions.

“Someone spread a rumour on Facebook that we were closing. Yesterday from the time we opened until 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. it was crazy,” said store manager Michelle Dennett.

The parking lot of the Liquor Store on 49th St. was noticeably less busy on Thursday compared to Wednesday. Blair McBride/NNSL photo

Some unspecified products sold out during Wednesday's run on booze but Dennett said stocks were sufficient.

Some liquor stores might begin limiting the number of customers to ensure adequate social distancing is maintained and start special shopping times for seniors and at-risk individuals, the government said.

Dennett said those measures haven't begun at this time at her store.

“The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission (NTLCC) understands that people are concerned about the availability of products during the period of self-isolation, and encourages people to act responsibly in their purchasing behaviours,” the spokesperson said.

Supply chains

For the time being, pandemic-related closures at the Canada-US border won't disrupt liquor supplies.

“The NTLCC purchases products for sale in NWT stores from a variety of different suppliers,” the GNWT said.

“These suppliers are primarily located in Alberta and British Columbia. To date, there have been no disruptions to the supply chain, and the NTLCC continues to monitor the situation closely.

“At this time, the federal government is indicating that trade routes and commercial channels between Canada and the US will remain open.”

On the ground, the main trade route linking Yellowknife with the outside world appears stable for now.

The Big River Service Centre at Fort Providence, the only stop between Hay River and Yellowknife receives 85 per cent of the highway drivers who stop in for food and gas, said manager Chris Mitchell.

The centre, which includes a gas station, convenience store and restaurant has no plans to close but Mitchell said two staff members are self-isolating because of health concerns.

“Our bar is down to four hours a day. The kitchen might reduce its hours from 6 a.m. to midnight, to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m,” he said.

“Closing would be the very last step. We consider ourselves an essential service.”

2003liquorcovidupdate51.JPG
The parking lot of the Liquor Store on 49th St. was noticeably less busy on Thursday compared to Wednesday. Blair McBride/NNSL photo
2003liquorcovidupdate52.JPG
The parking lot of the Liquor Store on 49th St. was noticeably less busy on Thursday compared to Wednesday. Blair McBride/NNSL photo