New rules for serving alcohol accompanied the announcement of the self-certification process to increase restaurant capacity to 50%.

Beginning immediately, restaurants, private social clubs and food services serving alcohol for on-site consumption must end alcohol sales at 11 p.m. and all alcoholic beverages must be removed from patrons by midnight, according to the news release.

Those rules apply to all restaurants, whether they self-certify to double their number of patrons to 50% or remain at 25% capacity.

There is no change to the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go and take-out alcohol from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license.

The Department of Community and Economic Development website said the new alcohol requirements are meant to discourage 19- to 24-year-olds from congregating in businesses that supply alcohol, as cases of COVID-19 have been rising in that age group.