Restrictions on Australians’ alcohol purchases lifted

Booze restrictions across Australia have been lifted after weeks of lockdown and panic buying with bottle shops returning to normal on Tuesday.

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Retail Drinks Australia has announced the end of its members’ voluntary national initiative, which restricted the amount of product customers can purchase in one transaction.

The limits will be lifted as of the opening of trading hours on Tuesday 28 April 2020.

The temporary restrictions had been put in place to safeguard against the possibility of people panic-buying alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic.

Aldi pictured at Umina Beach, which has the highest concentration of bottle shops on the Central Coast. The temporary restrictions on liquor purchases will be lifted. Picture: AAP Image/Sue Graham

“The specific purpose of the restrictions was to demonstrate co-ordinated industry leadership by liquor retailers, and to pre-emptively address concerns regarding panic-buying,” said Retail Drinks CEO Julie Ryan.

Ms Ryan said that following the initial COVID-19 restrictions, data revealed that people had rushed to purchase alcohol but that spending had since returned to near-normal.

“Retail liquor trading has returned to 2019 levels, and in many cases is actually significantly lower,” said Ms Ryan.

In fact, liquor sales are generally down compared to the same time last year.

Matthew Ivory at Bellevue Hill Bottle Shop, Bellevue Hill said home delivery had "gone through the roof" since COVID-19 restrictions came into place. Those restrictions end Tuesday April 28. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“Some liquor retailers are reporting their worst April trading in over 4 years,” said Ms Ryan.

Australians’ alcohol consumption has been trending down in recent years and the restrictions around COVID-19 caused only a temporary spike in liquor purchasing.

Ms Ryan says that overall, Australians’ spending habits around alcohol reflect the results of the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare National Drug Strategy Household Survey, which showed consistent declines in the excessive consumption of alcohol.

“All evidence points to Australians continuing to enjoy moderate alcohol consumption as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”

So as of business hours tomorrow morning it’s back to normal at your favourite bottle shop.

Originally published as Restrictions on Australians’ alcohol purchases lifted