FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We would like to share the following items which describe the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on the industry. Please contact the FIVS Secretariat with items that may be of interest.
Government policies
India: Delhi government to allow alcohol in open spaces of restaurants and pubs – The Delhi government is reportedly permitting the license holders of restaurants, pubs, and other establishments to serve alcohol beverages in open spaces such as terraces, balconies, and courtyards, provided those areas are screened off from public view and that customers do not remove their beverages from those areas. Service in hotels is allowed only when delivered to the rooms of guests. Home delivery ordered through a mobile app or online web portal is now also permitted, as is the sale of “medicated wine” in quantities less than 9 liters or twelve-quart bottles.
Kenya: Producers, hospitality industry pledge to reinforce COVID-19 control measures – Kenya’s hospitality industry and alcohol beverage producers have reportedly entered an agreement with the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC) to reinforce measures in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The government and private sector have launched a communications campaign to encourage adherence to protocols by the hospitality industry. The head of NMACC reportedly said the government expects that trade associations and the hospitality industry should take a lead role in enforcing the protocols, in order to help revive the sector which has been hurt badly by the pandemic. More than 15,000 bars across Kenya have closed during the pandemic.
Laos: Lockdown extended until 19 June 2021, but some restrictions eased – The government of Laos has extended lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus until 19 June 2021 in areas known as red zones, but some virus control measures have been eased. The government reportedly will continue to allow shopping malls, wholesale shops, supermarkets, and other retail establishments to remain open. Restaurants and coffee shops will now be allowed to seat customers, but the sale of alcohol beverages remains prohibited.
Malaysia: Government shuts down alcohol production under new lockdown – As Malaysia faces a third wave of new COVID-19 cases apparently pushing its health care system to the brink of collapse, its government has announced even tighter restrictions, shutting all areas of economic and social activity, except for essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies, until 14 June 2021. Restaurants have been restricted to takeaway services only. All alcohol beverage production and liquor stores have been closed, but there reportedly was confusion over whether supermarkets and grocery stores could continue selling alcohol.
- The Malaysian government announced a new stimulus package worth 40 billion Malaysian ringgit ($9.68 billion) to help businesses and households cope with the latest round of restrictions. Six other packages worth a total 340 billion Malaysian ringgit ($82.31 billion) have been rolled out over the past year. Only 6.2% of the country’s roughly 32 million population has reportedly received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine.
Spain: Regulations approved for hospitality sector reopening under the “new normal” – The Ministry of Health and the Autonomous Communities have reportedly approved measures that would be applied under the “new normal” in communities throughout Spain that do not have a risk of COVID-19 infection or are at Level 1 (below 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the last two weeks). Nightlife venues in those communities reportedly will be allowed to stay upon until 2:00 a.m., extendable until 3:00 a.m.; closing time for hotels, restaurants, and bars will be 1:00 a.m.; allowed capacity will be set at 50%, which can be increased by 10% with high levels of ventilation and air quality control; all tables may be occupied on outdoor terraces if a distance of 1.5 meters is maintained between the chairs of different tables; and tables will be limited to 6 people indoors and 10 outdoors.
Consumption levels
Thailand: Consumption falls due to COVID-19 and financial concerns – A survey conducted by the Centre of Alcohol Studies of 1,555 adults in fifteen provinces from 24-28 April 2021 reportedly found that Thais had reduced their consumption of alcohol beverages in an effort to protect themselves from the coronavirus and due to financial concerns. Among those surveyed, 41.9% said they consumed alcohol regularly during 2020, but 28.4% said that they had stopped drinking one month before the survey. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents claimed to have suffered financial difficulties due to the pandemic.
Ukraine: Alcohol consumption did not increase due to pandemic – A study by the Ukrainian Institute of the Future reportedly found that 82% of Ukrainians who drink alcohol beverages have not changed their level of consumption over the past year and 10% reduced their consumption levels. Only 8% increased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic. The survey, Alcohol and lockdown: how much more Ukrainians began to drink, was conducted via personal interviews in all regions of Ukraine among 2,400 respondents.
United Kingdom: Nearly 50% who lost jobs during pandemic are consuming more alcohol – A recent survey by Drinkaware of 4,000 adults suggests that 49% of respondents who lost their jobs during the pandemic are drinking more alcohol, up from 38% in December 2020. The survey also suggests that 66% of those adults drinking at high-risk levels are consuming more alcohol than they would have before the pandemic. However, 22% reported drinking less than they would have during the pandemic, up from 19% in December 2020.
World Health Organisation
Focus of 74th session of World Health Assembly on COVID-19 pandemic – The theme of the 74th session of the World Health Assembly – held virtually from 24 – 31 May 2021 – was ending the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the next pandemic, and building a healthier, safer, and fairer world.
An agreement was reached to meet again from 29 November – 1 December 2021 to consider whether to develop a WHO convention, agreement, or instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.
An unintended consequence of a session in late 2021 may be that WHO member states will be unable to focus simultaneously on developments surrounding the development by the WHO of an action plan (2022-2030) to effectively implement the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority.
Recordings of the sessions from 24 – 31 May 2021 can be found HERE.
Resolution on strengthening WHO preparedness for and response to health emergencies can be found HERE.
Decision on a special session of the World Health Assembly to consider developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international tool can be found HERE.
- Those FIVS members interested in learning more about the FIVS Social Sustainability Working Group’s efforts concerning the WHO’s Action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority should contact Karen Geronimo of the FIVS Secretariat.
NOTE: We make no warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information in these FIVS Alerts; nor do we necessarily support or agree with views expressed or contained therein.