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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Have restrictions on public drinking been weakened during the pandemic?

By Allegra Taylor
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YES

The coronavirus-related shutdowns appear to be weakening longstanding U.S. laws against drinking in public. The laws originated during Prohibition, and in recent times states have repealed laws against public intoxication in favor of more easily enforced limits on open alcohol containers.

Some states have loosened restrictions to keep bars in business during the coronavirus outbreak. The governor of Texas has hinted its new takeout policy may become permanent. In Baltimore, to avoid overcrowding in jails, the city has said it will dismiss many non-violent criminal charges, including open container violations.

Racial disparities in enforcement lend support to calls for abolishing the laws. An analysis of New York public drinking citations found that since January only 7% of those were issued to white people, even though whites are 33% of the city's population.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
National Council of State Legislatures: Open container laws by state
BBC: The coronavirus is relaxing US drinking laws
KVUE: Alcohol to-go may be permanent
WBAL: Prosecutors drop 600 cases involving minor charges
Gothamist: NYPD overwhelmingly ticketing people of color for public drinking
Furman Center: New York City racial and ethnic demographics
Valparaiso University: Reforming public drunkenness law
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.