South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has reinstated the country’s ban on alcohol sales in a bid to free up beds for Covid-19 patients.

The future of the drinks trade will feature more ecommerce and greater use of robots.

More than 2,100 bars and clubs in Seoul were shut down this weekend after 18 new coronavirus cases were linked to a single reveller.

Spanish producer Zamora Company has reported that wine and spirits sales in China have recovered as the country emerges from a sweeping coronavirus lockdown.

AB Inbev has slashed its proposed dividend in half due to the uncertainty, volatility and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diageo has suspended share buybacks for the rest of the year as a result of financial uncertainty sparked by the coronavirus outbreak.

Corona beer has seen a “spike” in sales due to the outbreak of global pandemic COVID-19 over the past month according to a report by IWSR.

Alcoholic beverage sales in the US increased 55% year-on-year during the week to March 21 as shoppers stocked up ahead of a long coronavirus lockdown.

Digital happy hours, online mixology sessions and virtual tip jars are helping bartenders make ends meet amid the coronavirus lockdown. 

Britain’s pub, bar and restaurant group sales plummeted 71% in the week that the  UK government ordered all licensed premises to close down because of the COVID-19 virus.

The US off-trade has seen soaring sales of wine, spirits and beer as shoppers stocked up ahead of a lengthy coronavirus lockdown, according to Nielsen stats.

Bacardi has set up a $3m fund to help bar owners and bartenders make ends meet during the global coronavirus lockdown.

Liquor stores will be permitted to remain open in New York, New Jersey and California during the coronavirus pandemic after they were declared “essential businesses”.

The London Wine Fair is the latest high profile-event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the world.

Zamora Company has implemented a series of measures to alleviate the effects that COVID-19 is having on social life and business in Spain.

AB Inbev has drawn down the entirety of a $9bn loan facility from global banks as it bids to ride out the coronavirus outbreak.

As a precaution due to COVID-19 Bacardí has postponed the 12th annual Bacadrí Legacy Cocktail Competition until further notice.

Campari Group has donated €1m to public healthcare institution ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco in Milan, centre of national excellence in the research and treatment of highly contagious and dangerous diseases.

Participants from 40+ countries were scheduled to attend the bartending competition finale in Nicaragua that promotes the creative use of sustainable ingredients in cocktails among the global bartending community.

St Patrick’s Day could become a sombre affair this year as bars across the world have been forced to shut their doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

ProWein 2020 is postponing its show in Dusseldorf this month due to Coronavirus fears.

In light of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation, Vinexpo Hong Kong has been postponed until 8-10 July 2020.

The Tax Free World Association (TFWA) and the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) have issued a joint statement expressing “great concern for the travel industry”, and assuring the public that they are working closely with their members across retailers, brands, airports, F&B and in-flight operators to monitor and evaluate the fast-moving situation.