With bars and dining rooms in four Nebraska counties shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, new rules are in place for alcohol sales and related regulations.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts issued an executive order last Thursday to provide relief to bars and restaurants in Douglas, Sarpy, Cass and Washington counties, where public health directives are limiting food sales to delivery, carryout and curbside pickup.

The order permits Class A liquor license holders, such as pizza parlors, to sell beer to customers on take-out or delivery orders.

Class I liquor license holders, such as restaurants, are allowed to sell beer, wine and spirits on take-out or delivery orders.

Restaurants and bars are allowed to sell alcohol on drive-through or curbside orders as well, without customers having to exit their motor vehicles.

Temporary operating permits are extended from 90 days to 180 days, and excise tax payees will have penalties waived for late payments – although they remain responsible for paying excise tax.

The executive order also allows for deliveries of wine and spirits to be paid for up to 90 days after delivery, instead of 30 days. However, beer purchases must still be paid for upon delivery.

Ricketts also issued an executive order related to driver licensing and vehicle registration rules.

Driver licenses and vehicle registrations that expire on or after March 1 will be extended until 30 days after the order is lifted.

The extension applies to driver licenses, state identification cards, permits and other credentials issued by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Renewals will still be processed online, but in-person applications should be postponed while emergerncy public health measures are in place.

Vehicle title requirements, registrations, in-transit tags and any other motor carrier temporary documents that expire on or after March 1 are also extended until 30 days after the order is lifted.

Monthly inspection and reporting requirements for ignition interlock programs will be given a two-week extension period, with additional extensions possible on a case-by-case basis.

Penalities or interest for late filings by International Fuel Tax Agreement also will be waived.

Find copies of the executive orders on the Governor’s Office website, governor.nebraska.gov.