![Texas GOP Gov. Abbott letting restaurants deliver alcohol with food orders to boost sales amid coronavirus social distancing](https://www.theblaze.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=22885414&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C20%2C0%2C20)
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images (L); Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Hwood Group (R)
'The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees'
With the restaurant industry hitting a sudden, staggering slump due to closure orders stemming from coronavirus social distancing, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott offered a statewide reprieve that just may be what the doctor ordered.
Abbott on Wednesday issued an immediate waiver letting restaurants with mixed beverage permits deliver alcoholic beverages with food purchases to customers, including beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
The governor's office said the waiver is in response to the disproportionate financial hardship COVID-19 caused within the hospitality industry.
"The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees," Abbott said. "These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing."
Abbott also directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to waive certain provisions to allow alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to repurchase or sell back unopened product from restaurants, bars, and clubs affected by event cancellations due to COVID-19.
"These next few weeks it's important to support our restaurants," Abbott tweeted Wednesday night. "They're a great source of food for Texans."
As you might guess, commenters on Abbott's tweet raised their glasses to him — and some asked him to make the waiver permanent: