Beer distributors and liquor stores were thrown into confusion Monday as long lines emptied their shelves following Gov. Tom Wolf’s order that non-essential businesses close in the wake of COVID-19.

For two hours, the city’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores were held in limbo after the order was given at 2 p.m., until the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced the indefinite closure of all stores, effective at 9 p.m. today.

Struggling to make sense of the situation, those managing the beer distribution centers said they were unsure if they’d be open to the public in the next few days, but hardly had time to orient themselves before customers inundated their stores.

“We’re in uncharted territory,” said Ted Weiss, general manager of Mid-State Beverage Co.,1805 E. Third St. “As with a state of emergency, we have to stay vigilant, keep the public safe and follow what the federal, state governments set forth for us.”

A line snaked to the back of his warehouse and around again at about 5 p.m.

“I’m trying to get good information from the state right now,” he said. “We don’t know what this is going to bring for the future.”

Weiss said he expects the virus to go through the population in about six months and then be an afterthought.

“We just need to follow the directions of what the government is saying… make sure you’re taking care of your customers and go from there,” he added.

Christopher Smith, of Williamsport, said he wasn’t sure when the area’s hysteria started while he was at the end of the line at Mid-State.

“I just don’t know when things changed from taking a step back and assessing the situation and then figuring out what we’re going to do, to immediately freaking out,” he said.

While the virus is serious, the public should maintain its composure, he urged.

“I think the general public is blowing it out of proportion,” he said, adding people should remain cautious.

Jay Patel, owner of Beer Here at the corner of Sheridan Street and Warren Avenue, said he had contacted the state authorities in Harrisburg asking if he could open the next day, but had yet to receive a reply.

“If we had to close down, my employees are worried because of their salaries — everybody has bills and everything that goes with that,” he said.

Patel said he hopes the virus stays away from Lycoming County, but was glad to see people in his store.

“If they’re planning to stay at home instead of going out, then there’s nothing wrong with that because, by staying home, it’s really helping everybody,” he said.

In going through the line at South Side Beverages, at 100 W. Southern Ave., Drew Ertel, of Nisbit, said he was disappointed with the government’s opaque response to COVID-19.

“The problem is that the national government says one thing, but then they say the governors and the local governments can do whatever they want,” he said.

The different levels of government are seeming to contradict and speak over one another, said Drew Ertel.

“There’s a lot of confusion and it needs to be a coordinated effort,” he said. “If it is a coordinated effort, it doesn’t seem like the message is being coordinated.”