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.
Opening Up / Closing Down
Denmark: Vaccine passports required as restrictions are lifted early – The Danish government has accelerated its plan to lift the country’s coronavirus restrictions. Restaurants, bars, and cafés will be allowed to increase indoor service gradually from 10 people on 21 April to 100 people on 11 June 2021. Limits on outdoor service will be completely revoked on 11 June 2021. As of 21 April 2021, reservations for as many as ten people per table may be made, provided everyone has valid coronavirus vaccine passports. People without coronavirus vaccine passports may be served, providing they sit outdoors. Alcohol beverages may be served until 10 pm, and establishments must be closed from 11 pm until 5 am.
India: Producers urge government to lift ban on home deliveries due to long lines in Delhi – Alcohol beverage manufacturers reportedly asked the Delhi government to allow home delivery of alcohol beverages after crowds formed long queues ahead of the six-day lockdown that began on 19 April 2021. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies noted that the state government has allowed home delivery when shops have been closed in such cities as Mumbai. As Delhi saw its highest ever single-day spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths, most establishments such as shops, malls, and weekly markets remain closed.
Thailand: Alcohol banned in restaurants and bars closed – Effective from 18 April 2021, bars, pubs, and karaoke bars, as well as schools and massage parlors, will close for at least two weeks due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Activities involving more than 50 people have been prohibited, and restaurants may not serve alcohol beverages. Eighteen provinces, including Bangkok, have been labelled as red zones, and the remaining provinces have been categorised as orange zones.
United Kingdom: Scottish hospitality venues to reopen indoors but without alcohol – Scotland’s First Minister reportedly has confirmed that Scotland’s lockdown will be eased on 26 April 2021 as planned. Hospitality venues, gyms, and non-essential shops will reopen and non-essential travel to England, Northern Ireland, and Wales will be allowed for the first time in 2021. As many as six people from two households may socialize indoors in a café or restaurant, but alcohol beverages may not be served. If improvements with COVID-19 continue, Scotland will move to level two restrictions on 17 May, level one on 7 June, and level zero in late June 2021.
United States: Mississippi Governor signs alcohol delivery bill into law – Mississippi’s Governor has reportedly signed legislation into law allowing alcohol beverage deliveries to homes as of 01 July 2021. Alcohol may only be delivered within 30 miles of the store selling the product. Delivery services may only use drivers who are 21 years of age or older, and no deliveries will be allowed on Sundays or Christmas Day.
Pandemic Drinking Trends
European Union: Alcohol consumption in Europe continues on positive course – Despite media reports that drinking increased during lockdowns, data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis showed significant declines in alcohol consumption across most markets in Europe. A YouGov survey of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other European countries found that one in three drank less or quit entirely. Figures from the Trimbos Institute found that 49% of those surveyed, aged 16 to 35, in the Netherlands drank less during the lockdown compared with 2019, and 23% consumed the same amount.
Germany: New survey finds 14% drinking less during pandemic – A study by pronova BKK reportedly found that the coronavirus pandemic has not necessarily increased overall alcohol consumption in Germany. While 10% of respondents said they are now drinking more, 14% have reduced their consumption. For those under age 30, 20% now drink more and 20% now drink less. The study indicated that 87% are in favor of harsher penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol; 65% favor lowering the blood alcohol content (BAC) from the current 0.5 to 0.0 per mil; and 74% favor no longer serving beer, wine, and sparkling wine to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Israel: Alcohol consumption and drug use among young people has tripled during pandemic – The Israeli non-profit Elem/Youth in Distress and the Israeli mental health association Enosh report that the use of drugs and alcohol beverages among Israeli youth has tripled during the coronavirus pandemic as ways to deal with their distress or to relieve boredom. Elem found a fourfold increase in reports of depression and anxiety during the pandemic. The trends were described by Israel’s representative to the United Nations bodies in Vienna and the Director-General of Enosh when they delivered opening remarks at a United Nations International Narcotics Control Board event.
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.