Covid-19 Qld: Restrictions tightened on takeaway alcohol

The hospitality industry is angry takeaway alcohol limits that saved thousands of businesses during the pandemic will be reduced.

Takeaway alcohol limits that saved thousands of hospitality businesses during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown will be reduced under a government proposal that has infuriated the industry.

The State Government has moved to reduce the amount of takeaway alcohol able to be sold by restaurants and cafes from 2.25l to just 1.5l of wine only – removing the ability for beer and spirits to be purchased.

Laws permitting businesses to sell on-the-go liquor was introduced in March 2020 as Queensland entered an extended Covid-19 lockdown.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the Government would continue to allow a limited amount of takeaway wine sales.

Restaurant and Caterers Australia CEO Wes Lambert said 93 per cent of the industry were small businesses.

“The current policy helped one of the hardest-hit industries in Queensland to keep its head above water,” he said.

“We think it’s totally reasonable for a responsible adult to pick up a pizza and buy either a cocktail, a couple of beers or a bottle of wine to accompany it.

“How is this more dangerous compared to going to a bottle shop and walking out with as much as you can carry with no food to offset the alcohol?”

Gold Coast restaurant Mamasan was one of many offering takeaway cocktails during the pandemic.

Mr Lambert questioned what the “real reasons behind this backflip are”.

“We’re not looking to become backdoor bottle shops,” he said.

“The last thing that the industry wants to do is promote irresponsible drinking of any kind.

“However at no point has anyone seen a shred of health advice suggesting that the current policy has led to any problems in the community.”

Ms Fentiman said the Government had moved swiftly to support businesses during the pandemic, and proposed to make some of the temporary measures permanent.

“The proposed Bill has been referred to the committee and the public submission process will open soon and I encourage all parties with an interest in the Bill to make a submission,” she said.

“We have continued our support for the hospitality industry with liquor licence fee waivers and refunds, tax relief recently with our Covid-19 Business Support grants of up to $30,000.”

Tim Johnson, who owns Brisbane’s Corbett & Claude, Comuna Cantina and Mr Claude, said the takeaway alcohol sales were “massive” during lockdowns.

“To be able to do our own famous cocktails to takeaway was a really big success for us, because we could keep the doors open and the team employed,” he said.

Mr Johnson questioned the lack of industry consultation over the proposed change, and said wine was a small part of his business.

Originally published as Covid-19 Qld: Restrictions tightened on takeaway alcohol