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.
SOCIAL ASPECTS
Responsible practices during the pandemic – In South Africa, the Association for Alcohol Responsibility and Education is working with provincial authorities in the Eastern Cape, the Free State, Guateng, and Mpumalanga to create responsible alcohol beverage outlets during the pandemic.
Pandemic-driven backlog in Canada’s courts – The government of Ontario is recommending that prosecutors no longer pursue criminal charges in some drink drive cases without aggravating factors such as a death or injuries, allowing prosecutors to settle for a guilty plea to a lesser charge of careless driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada reportedly supports the new directive, concerned that the courts otherwise might dismiss thousands of cases if pandemic restrictions trigger unreasonable delays in trials.
TIGHTENING UP
France – The French government reportedly seeks to extend the state of emergency regarding the pandemic until 16 February 2021. The bill presented to Parliament last week also reportedly seeks the authority to keep in place those measures restricting the opening of establishments at least until 01 April 2021. Departmental prefects would be authorised to close cafes and restaurants if the pandemic worsens. The current state of emergency is in effect until 16 November 2020.
- Due to a sudden acceleration in COVID-19 cases, authorities in Loire-Atlantique reportedly announced new measures to combat the pandemic effective from 24 October through at least 03 November 2020, including the early closure of bars each day from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. The prefect of Loire-Atlantique indicated that these measures should also be deployed in Mayenne, Sarthe, and Vendée.
Mexico – As the governor of Chihuahua announced that the sale of alcohol beverages would be permitted only on Thursdays through Sundays due to increasing COVID-19 cases and deaths, customers have reportedly begun to stockpile alcohol beverage products and stores have responded by limiting customer sales.
Scotland – Scotland will reportedly enter a new five-level system of coronavirus restrictions on 02 November 2020, the date on which temporary curbs on the hospitality trade are set to expire. The government observed that current restrictions on bars and restaurants had begun to slow the increase in new cases, but reportedly said that restrictions would be necessary until a vaccine has been developed. The first minister indicated that talks regarding the new five levels would be held with opposition parties and representatives of businesses, particularly from the hospitality trade. One in every 180 people was reportedly infected with COVID-19 in Scotland during the first two weeks of October 2020.
RELAXING RESTRICTIONS
Italy – Following protests regarding an earlier ordinance, the president of Lombardy has reportedly issued a new ordinance that from 21 October until 13 November, stores, restaurants, and bars may again sell wine and spirits after 6 p.m., but only for consumption at home. Alcohol beverages may still not be consumed in public places, including parks, villas, and gardens.
United States – As the nation’s governors respond to pressures from the coronavirus and the economy, The New York Times has introduced a page to track restrictions in place on businesses, as well as plans to reopen or shut down again. The page will be updated regularly.
- Ohio – Legislation introduced in the Ohio Senate and House would allow bars and restaurants in Ohio to return to pre-pandemic hours. A survey by a restaurant association in Ohio reportedly found that over half of the state’s bars and restaurants, involving over 100,000 jobs, would go out of business if the prohibition of alcohol beverages sales after 10:00 p.m. continues. Ohio’s governor indicated that the majority of Ohio’s college presidents and mayors are in favor of the present order, but the police chief in Cincinnati argued that the ban has led to more violence in that city.