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 that offers news of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our industry around the world. We are updating this webpage as new information becomes available.
CORONAVIRUS
Easing Up
Colombia – Colombia’s Vice Minister of the Interior reportedly announced that mayors may request pilot plans for reopening bars and night establishments that sell alcohol beverages. The government has categorised municipalities with low, medium, and high rates of positive COVID-19 cases and will base restrictions on events and crowds accordingly. See also this paper about how the Colombian industry is addressing governmental pandemic-related policies on alcohol beverages.
Kenya – The President of Kenya lifted the prohibition on alcohol sales in licensed hotels and extended the hours of restaurants by one hour until 8 p.m. He also reportedly directed the Ministry of Health to coordinate with the Bar Owners Association to develop mechanisms for reopening, but he extended the closure of bars and nightclubs by an additional 30 days.
United States – Although bars in Texas have been closed since late June, restaurants have been allowed to operate at 50-percent capacity. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) will reportedly now allow bars to operate as restaurants during COVID-related closures by partnering with outside businesses such as food trucks that provide on-premise food, provided the sale of food outpaces the sale of alcohol beverages.
- The governor of Colorado extended the sale of alcohol beverages from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. in restaurants and bars, but alcohol deliveries will be allowed after 11 p.m. Bars and restaurants in counties that have been issued variances to statewide orders may follow local guidelines.
Closing Down
Estonia – Estonia’s Minister of Social Affairs said the government may consider a nationwide restriction on the nighttime sale of alcohol beverages to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Currently, alcohol cannot be sold in the counties of Tartu and Ida-Viru from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Germany – Munich reportedly introduced a ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol beverages except on private property from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. because of increasing cases of COVID-19. The city may impose fines of 150 euros for consuming alcohol without permission and 500 euros for the sale of alcohol beverages during those hours.
Japan – Tokyo has reportedly extended its request until 15 September 2020 that karaoke venues and businesses serving alcohol beverages throughout Tokyo’s 23 wards close by 10 p.m. to stem the spread of the coronavirus. The government may provide 150,000 yen (approximately US$1,400) to businesses that comply with the request.
Health-related Issues
U.S. FDA Warning – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning to consumers that alcohol-based hand sanitisers packaged in food or drink containers can cause serious injury or death if ingested. The FDA discovered that some hand sanitisers have been packaged in beer cans, children’s food pouches, water bottles, juice bottles, and vodka bottles, and they also found hand sanitisers that contain food flavors such as chocolate or raspberry.