New York liquor stores are considered 'essential' businesses, will stay open

Liquor store.
(Image credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Liquor may, indeed, be essential to getting thorough this COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, New York has determined.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Friday all nonessential businesses in the state must close beginning this Sunday, ordering all employees to stay at home. Essential businesses that are exempt from this rule include grocery stores and pharmacies. But New Yorkers everywhere cried out in terror as they wondered whether liquor stores would have to close their doors statewide.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.