FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We would like to share the following items, which describe the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on the industry.
Check out our page on the FIVS website for more news of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our industry around the world. We are updating the webpage as new information becomes available.
TIGHTENING UP
European Union – The European Commissioner for Health has called on EU member states to toughen their pandemic control measures, noting that the situation is now worse in seven countries than it was during the height of the pandemic in March 2020. Numerous French metropolises, including Paris, have been placed on heightened alert, closing bars and restaurants and limiting alcohol beverage sales in some of these areas. Pubs and restaurants in the United Kingdom, in which only table service is allowed, must now close by 10:00 p.m.
France – Although the French government has allowed local authorities to set their own measures to control the outbreak of COVID-19, the French Health Minister has reportedly given the hardest-hit local authorities only days to tighten restrictions or risk having a state of health emergency declared for them. Attendance at events will be limited to 1,000 (down from 5,000), student parties will be banned, and bars and restaurants must close at least by 10:00 p.m. in Paris and other cities now labelled as “reinforced danger zones.”
Germany – As COVID-19 numbers increase dramatically, Berlin’s mayor is reportedly considering new measures to combat the pandemic, including limiting participants at private celebrations to a maximum of 25 indoors and 50 outdoors, a curfew, restrictions on the sale of alcohol beverages, and issuing fines to individuals violating laws rather than “simply sending them away.”
Mozambique – The government of Mozambique is reportedly assessing whether it should close or restrict access to the country’s beaches, just as the country enters its summer months, because large groups of people are ignoring social distancing requirements and drinking alcohol beverages on the beaches, which has been specifically forbidden. The Deputy Justice Minister indicated that the government may call upon its defence and security forces to guarantee compliance. Bars have been closed during the pandemic, but restaurants and bottle stores may continue to operate so long as alcohol beverages are not consumed in public.
Scotland – Scotland has reportedly announced new rules to stem the spread of coronavirus this week, including a 10 p.m. curfew for pubs and restaurants. After coronavirus clusters were identified at its universities, Scotland’s First Minister reportedly advised students to stay away from pubs and hospitality venues “just for this weekend” and Scotland’s National Clinical Director clarified that college students may not return home to their parents because they are a “separate household,” although exceptions such as caring responsibilities exist.
RELAXING RESTRICTIONS
United States/Arizona – Reportedly attempting to balance public health with economic recovery, the governor of Arizona has revised his earlier ruling that alcohol beverage sales must end by 10:00 p.m. and drinks must be removed from customers by midnight. Bars and restaurants will now be permitted to sell alcohol beverages until 11:00 p.m. for on-site consumption. The governor also announced that bars and restaurants may increase their indoor capacity to 50 percent in the coming week.
United States/Ohio – To help bars and restaurants during a statewide stay-at-home order earlier this year, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission passed an emergency rule allowing the sale and delivery of alcohol beverages for off-premise consumption but limited the option to two drinks. Legislation now before the Ohio Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee would make the ruling permanent. In written testimony, The Buckeye Institute Research Fellow noted that Ohio’s hospitality and leisure job sector has lost nearly 147,000 jobs during the pandemic. Opponents argue the new law would provide alcohol access to minors and harm communities across the state.
ILLICIT ALCOHOL
Mexico – Restrictions on the sale of alcohol beverages during the pandemic may have fostered the expansion of the sale of illicit alcohol throughout Mexico. The National Commission against Addictions (CONADIC) reported the death of nearly 200 people in eleven Mexican states from suspected alcohol poisoning in three months, noting that these figures did not include deaths that occurred in private homes.