By Logan Stein

liquor and cannabis still available

AGLC: Liquor and cannabis retail stores will continue to operate

Mar 20, 2020 | 4:48 PM

Liquour and cannabis stores throughout Alberta have seen increased foot traffic, but store owners still believe closures or delays could possibly be on the horizon.

Alberta Cannabis notified shoppers on their website that they may experience severe delays with Canada post and Purolator.

As well as there being a higher volume of foot traffic, it has put additional pressure on retailers to provide a safe space for people interested in purchasing booze or cannabis.

“Now we have to wear gloves, use hand sanitizer every time a person makes contact with us. We clean the counter after every customer, and the doorknob is cleaned frequently,” said Mashan Bart at Dunmore Liquor.

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There has been constant updates regarding different businesses having to close their doors, creating a great sense of uncertainty for remaining businesses wondering if they will be forced to be next.

“We’re just trying to keep our doors open to keep everyone employed.”

“We’re just trying to keep our doors open to keep everyone employed, and hopefully we can toughen it out for a few weeks but we know the inevitable is coming and we will have to close our doors eventually,” said Pam Carrier, owner of The Leaf.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis spokeswoman Heather Holmen has stated that despite the increased uncertainty, the province is not requiring liquor or cannabis retailers to close at this time.

In Alberta there is over 2000 private liquor retailers, and over 420 private cannabis retailers province-wide.

“We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and make operational changes if and when there is different direction from Alberta’s chief medical officer of health,” said Holmen.

“anything can change at any time, but if something changes it wont be at AGLC’s direction. It will be based on Alberta health officials.”