With phase two of the Emerging Wisely Covid recovery plan underway, liquor stores are looking to resume their regular hours next week.
The Downtown Liquor Store on 48 Street plans to possibly return to its pre-Covid hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 23.
"We'll go back to normal hours on June 23, tentatively. We're still working on it," said manager Tammy Boulet.
The other liquor outlet on Borden Drive also aims to go back to the 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours next week, but the date hasn't been finalized yet, said the manager who didn't provide a name.
Liquor stores across the NWT reduced their hours in late March as a safety measure amid the pandemic.
RELATED REPORTING: Liquor stores to limit hours amid pandemic
$200 purchase limit
Both stores were unsure as to when the $200 limit on liquor purchases would be lifted, saying that decision is up to the territorial government.
"There is currently no time frame for removing the purchase limits," said Department of Finance spokesperson Todd Sasaki, "Removal of the limits may depend on the success of the Emerging Wisely plan and the state of emergency."
Catering companies and groups seeking to hold events such as weddings that would require more liquor than what the $200 purchase limit allows can apply to the government for Special Occasion Permits.
The purchase limit came into effect on April 16 as a way of controlling the availability of alcohol in the NWT, especially in Indigenous communities where access to liquor led to public gatherings that increased the risk of spreading Covid.
RELATED REPORTING: GNWT announces $200 limit on liquor sales