At the first teleconference video meeting of the Dawsonville City Council, council members approved an executive order allowing local restaurants to sell to-go alcoholic beverages for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. 

Approved unanimously by the city council, the order will allow table service restaurants with existing alcohol on-premise consumption permits to engage in to-go package sales of wine and beer. 

According to the order, public-notices restaurants can now sell unopened six-packs of beer and up to two bottles of wine, in conjunction with a food order of equal or greater value, similar to the ordinance approved by the Dawson County Board of Commissioners in late March. 

The order will remain in effect for the duration of Georgia's State of Emergency or until it is terminated by Mayor Mike Eason or the city council. 

On Tuesday, Dawsonville Mayor Mike Eason said that the measure is meant to help out the local hospitality and restaurant industry in Dawsonville, which has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"This will give them the opportunity to sell alcohol, which is their highest markup item, and get some revenue into their business," Eason said.