By Cecilia Dowd | Newsday

Gov. Kathy Hochul is aiming to make ‘to-go’ drinks permanent as part of her budget. The drinks are currently allowed, thanks to a temporary law which began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The law is set to expire next year.

While allowing to-go drinks benefitted bars and restaurants during the pandemic, not everyone sees it as a good idea.

Steve Chassman is executive director of Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

He told News 12, “When we come at this from the angle of public health, we’re very concerned.”

Eric LeVine is chef and owner of the restaurant 317 Main Street in Farmingdale. He said during COVID, the law helped keep the lights on.

Andy Lamba owns Prime Wine & Liquor in Kings Park. He doesn’t believe the permanent to-go drinks would have a major impact on his business, but questioned whether it was ‘wise’ to let someone go to a bar, drink and leave with a drink.

Under the current law, if you order ‘to-go’ drinks, they must come in a sealed container, and you must also order food.