Liquor sales return via delivery, curbside pickup methods

Bahamians will see the return of liquor sales today through delivery and curbside pickup methods established by 700 Wines and Spirits and Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced yesterday that businesses with social distancing protocols such as delivery and curbside pickup would be allowed to operate.

As he closed out his address, both Jimmy’s and 700 Wines and Spirits released advertisements.

Jimmy’s is offering its customers free delivery with a minimum order of $200, while 700 Wines and Spirits is offering pickup and delivery.

Jimmy’s attempted to enact its delivery service just as the country went into lockdown in March. The company said it received authorization from the competent authority to make liquor deliveries. That authorization was rescinded 24 hours later.

Commonwealth Brewery Limited’s (CBL) Managing Director Jürgen Mulder (CBL is the parent company of 700 Wines and Spirits) contended in the early days of the lockdown that his company and its competitors could provide safe solutions for the distribution of products and adhere to the social distancing protocols and reduced congregation of people the emergency orders call for.

However, the government did not allow the sale of liquor and shut down several operations illegally selling liquor during the shutdown.

Bahamians, excited by the prospect of liquor sales once again, flocked to 700 Wines and Spirits’ Facebook page, with people even attempting to place orders in the comments section. Some ran into technical issues.

Neither CBL nor Jimmy’s announced staff layoffs in the six weeks they were forced to close their businesses.

The government released its curbside pickup and delivery protocols yesterday, calling on businesses who do deliveries to, at a minimum, use gloves and other protocols in the handling and delivery of goods; announce the delivery of goods; and ensure no person-to-person contact during deliveries.

Businesses utilizing curbside pickup are required to have customers place orders remotely; issue invoices and pay through a digital platform; or, if cash use is necessary, to place payment in a secure bin which is sanitized after every use.

The government is also calling on businesses to have their staff practice physical distancing protocols while working and wearing personal protective equipment.

The post Liquor sales return via delivery, curbside pickup methods appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/05/04/liquor-sales-return-via-delivery-curbside-pickup-methods/