To my fellow concerned citizens,

The Alabama ABC Board has voted for a temporary modified cessation of alcohol sales. This means Alabama bars will have "last call" at 11 p.m. and that alcoholic beverages on premises must consumed by 11:30 p.m. 

Many residents of Alabama are reliant on employment in the service industry to support not only their own livelihoods, but to support their local economy as well. When state and local governments mandated that masks be worn, the overwhelming majority of people adhered to these guidelines. When state and local governments implemented stricter capacity restrictions, virtually all bars abided by these new rules. The bar industry as a whole has been extremely compliant with all restrictions put in place. However, limiting how late these establishments can keep their doors open is extremely shortsighted and could ultimately be catastrophic to the service industry. I think I can speak for the vast majority of service industry workers when I say that we are just trying to make an honest living. A large portion of bars and restaurants rely on  the influx of business we receive in the last few hours that our doors are open. There is very little evidence to show that curtailing these hours will slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. But it is an inevitability that locally owned business and the good people they employ will suffer. We urge the Alabama ABC board, as well as Governor Kay Ivey, to strongly consider repealing the recently imposed restrictions. We urge you to think of the tremendous economic impact your decisions will have on your own citizens. We are all simply trying to make a living.