Tag: COVID-19

Kenya’s alcohol sector players lobby for increased operating hours to aid industry recovery

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KENYA – The Alcohol Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) has petitioned the government to increase the operating period of bars by two hours in the wake of falling Covid-19 infection rates. According to the liquor traders’ representative, a further two hours of operations by the outlets and other entertainment joints will serve to cushion the hit on the industry. The Association is backing its push on the recent fall in the COVID-19 positivity rate which has averaged below five per cent. “Abak notes the Covid-19 positivity rate in the last…

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SA’s hotel, restaurant sector receives hit by COVID-19 pandemic registering 32% decline in revenue

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SOUTH AFRICA – The South Africa hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) industry has been severely affected by government restrictions imposed beginning in March 2020 in an effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Social-distancing measures, curfews, and restricted operating hours have decreased revenue for the sector which has led to the closures of many businesses and loss of jobs. The effects of disruptions caused by the pandemic are evident from the 32 percent decline of the industry’s revenues in 2020 to US$3 billion, compared to 5 percent revenue growth in the…

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South Africa’s alcohol sale inches closer to normalcy following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions

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SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa alcohol industry is elated following the recent move of the country to Level 1 lockdown, permitting sale of alcohol for both offsite and onsite consumption, to resume under normal licence provisions and business operating hours. The decision to ease lockdown regulations comes amid a drop in Covid-19 cases, test positivity rates, and hospitalisations, reports Fin 24. Under the new directive, sale of alcoholic drinks has once again been permitted not only on weekdays but also weekends. However, no alcohol may be sold after 11pm. This…

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Leading food industry players Coca-Cola, Heineken, UBL support vaccination efforts in Africa

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UGANDA – In an effort to provide a boost to government’s vaccination efforts, Uganda Breweries Limited, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, and the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda, have partnered with Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Health to speed up COVID-19 Vaccination and open up the economy. The private sector players launched a rejuvenated COVID-19 vaccination drive that will increase the number of vaccination points in the Kampala Metropolitan Area for more people to get access to the available vaccines. Under the initiative, UBL, Coca-Cola, and…

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South African alcohol manufacturers welcome lift of alcohol sale ban, tax payment deferment

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SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s government has lifted a ban on liquor sales and relaxed other pandemic restrictions, moving to Adjusted Alert Level 3 lockdown, amid hope that the worst of the third wave of Covid-19 may be over. Its been a month since the country was placed under stricter lockdown restrictions aimed at reducing Covid-19 infections and easing pressure on the healthcare system. The decision to ease lockdown regulations comes amid a drop in Covid-19 cases, test positivity rates, and hospitalisations, which according to the News24, the average number…

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Nile Breweries eases COVID-19 burden on Uganda’s health system, donates 300 oxygen cylinders

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UGANDA – Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), the Ugandan subsidiary of AB InBev, has donated 300 oxygen cylinders worth Ush 333 million (US$93,800) to major referral hospitals, spread across 17 districts in the country. The donation is timely as over the past few weeks, Uganda has registered a rise in COVID-19 infections which has tested the capacity of its healthcare system. Handing over the donations at the Office of the Prime Minister, Nile Breweries Legal & Corporate Affairs Director Onapito Ekomoloit said, “As Nile Breweries, Uganda’s beer market leader, we believe…

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UK retail chains, pubs mull shutting some stores due to staff shortages amid rising Covid-19 cases

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UK – The rising number of cases in the UK is presenting a new challenge to business operators as many employees have had to self-isolate themselves following contact with people who have tested positive.  Recent figures showed more than 500,000 people in England and Wales were “pinged” by the NHS Covid app in the week to 7 July and required to self-isolate for 10 days for coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.    According to a BBC report, the rising number of people who are being forced into self-isolation is having profound consequences for the economy…

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South African wine industry raises alarm over inability to stay afloat with continued domestic sale bans

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SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s wine body, Vinpro, has raised red flags pertaining to the continued restrictions imposed on domestic wine sales, which is deemed to potentially cripple most businesses within the sector. According to the non-profit organization representing 2 600 businesses, the South African wine industry is at a tipping point as many businesses, particularly small companies and those under black ownership, face potential closure in the next three to 12 months. This is according to the Impact of Covid-19 on the Wine Value-Chain Survey that Vinpro conducted early…

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India’s recovery from Covid-19 pushes June FMCG sales up nearly 40%

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INDIA – India’s recovery from its worst wave of the covid-19 pandemic is being felt by the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market where sales have recovered, more than surpassing sales recorded in the previous month.  According to a report by ET Retail, FMCG sales expanded nearly 40% in June from a month earlier, overcompensating for a sharp decline in May when the segment fell by a third, helped by several states easing restrictions.  Speaking to ET Retail, Krishnarao Buddha, senior category head at leading biscuits maker Parle Products, said: “Since April, there has been a…

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Serengeti Breweries unveils fund to help bars fight against communicable diseases in Tanzania

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TANZANIA – Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL), subsidiary of the Diageo company through the East Africa Breweries Limited, has launched a programme worth over Tsh 2.3 billion (US$992,000), aimed to support bars and eateries in Dar es Salaam and other major towns. This initiative dubbed “Raise the Bar”, is part of a global Diageo programme geared towards helping outlets, and bars recover from COVID-19 and support jobs and communities around the world. The fund will roll out over the next two years benefitting over 2,000 outlets and will include practical equipment…

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