Between liquor and a hard place

While the situation is not a competition, it cannot be denied that the liquor sector has some of the worst war stories about COVID-19, particularly night clubs which have been non-operational since March last year.

Figures coming out of the sector are horrifying, indicating that last year, producers lost P880 million, while shedding 190 jobs. At least 650 liquor outlets were closed during the period and alcohol was only sold for 183 days out of a total 286 days between March 21, 2020 – the first sales ban – and December 2020. This year, alcohol has been banned for 56 days already.