Coronavirus: what’s going on? Bars, festivals, alcohol sales…

21.04.2020

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused a major shift in the food and beverage industry. Here are some of the important events of the moment.

Countries that have restricted the sale of alcohol

The coronavirus has forced many countries to restrict the partial or total sale of alcohol especially in bars and restaurants. However, some countries have banned the sale of alcohol in bars and shops.

Among them is South Africa. With strict containment measures, they have banned alcohol sales and exports until April 16. However the work associated with viticulture and winemaking was named as an essential activity. This means that the vineyards can finish their 2020 harvest and work in their cellars.

Greenland, banned the sale of alcohol in its capital, Nuuk and surrounding areas (Kapisillit and Qeqertarsuatsiaat) on March 28th until April 15th.

A department in France, Aisne, announced on March 24 that the sale of alcohol in stores is prohibited during confinement. However, the ban was lifted shortly afterwards.

In New Zealand, off-license supplies of alcohol have been discontinued. Liquor stores have closed and the delivery of non-essential items has been banned, thus interrupting online sales. Supermarkets are the remaining unlicensed suppliers selling beer, wine and cider.

Botswana, Panama, Thailand and even the Bahamas also joined the ban on alcohol sales.

More generally, banning the sale of alcohol prevents people from abusing social distancing. As well as maintaining better lucidity and personal hygiene, it also affects the immune system. In other words, those with a weak immune system would be more vulnerable to disease. Among other things, it limits the possibility of domestic violence, from verbal to physical.

Oktoberfest 2020 cancelled

The famous German Oktoberfest announced that it will not be held this year. In an announcement on their website they published “Canceled: Oktoberfest 2020 cannot take place. Very high risk in coronavirus pandemic.” The Bavarian Minister, President Markus Söder, and the Mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, cancelled Wiesn on April 21, 2020 at a joint press conference.

Pubs and restaurants

In the UK they will be the last to open

British Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has warned that pubs, bars and restaurants will be “among the last” to reopen when closing restrictions are relaxed.

In Spain

The president of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology, Pere Godoy, places it in the middle of June, “in two months they could open bars and restaurants.

Supporting Bartenders

Irish whisky brand Jameson has launched an online platform to support the international bar community during the Covid-19 pandemic. The online platform will provide bartenders with the opportunity to receive wellness support as well as to enhance their expertise and collaborate with other members of the industry.

Virtual Beer Festival

The San Diego Beer Festival will take place online on Saturday, April 25 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A case of ten different local and regional craft beers will be available to participants prior to the event.

Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.