Corona beer is no longer being made in Mexico for the time being, after the Mexican government suspended all non-essential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite alcohol sales booming as a result of the coronavirus-induced quarantine, it looks like some companies have been told to cease production of their booze due to their status as a non-essential business during this global crisis. Grupo Modelo, the Anheuser-Busch Inbev-owned company that makes Corona as well as Modelo and Pacifico beers, is one such business that has been told to halt production by the Mexican government in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

This measure includes the suspension of all non-essential activities in the public and private sectors of Mexico until at least April 30th. According to John Hopkins, the country has had more than 1600 confirmed cases of coronavirus and has experienced 60 related deaths.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Grupo Modelo is, however, prepared to enact a plan to “guarantee the supply of beer” if the Mexican government does decide that breweries qualify as essential businesses, according to a statement. Bill Newlands, CEO of Constellation Brands which handles the distribution and import of Grupo Modelo’s beers in the United States, ensured that the brand has “ample supply to meet consumer demand” and doesn’t expect there to be shortages. Despite reports that Corona’s shared name with the worldwide virus had caused sales to suffer, Constellation reports that their beer sales actually grew 8.9% in the first three months of this year. Sales even accelerated by 24% during the first three weeks of March compared to a year ago.

GameStop is continuing to try to stay open, while non-essential businesses are being told to close their doors. In Boston, employees were told to wrap their hands in plastic bags in order to remain open.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Boston Globe reporter Katie Johnston broke the story. She detailed how a store manager explained the process to employees:

“Workers have been told to wrap a plastic bag around one hand to protect it from exposure to the virus, open the door a crack, and take the customer’s credit card, the manager said. Employees are then to run the card with a hand still encased in the bag, flip the bag inside out, leaving the card inside, put the purchase in the bag, and hand it back through the door.”

On a national level, GameStop’s fight to be considered an “essential business” has been met with backlash. The company eventually said it would close it doors on March 22.

“We have been steadfast in our adherence to CDC-guided safety and local government orders for retailers in each of our communities. As millions of Americans look to GameStop to adjust to their new normal of increased time at home, for work, learning and play, we have implemented practices to help ensure the safety and health of our employees, customers and partners,” George Sherman, chief executive officer of GameStop, said in the press release.

“We believe it is prudent to institute further safety protocols while meeting this increased demand through curbside pick-up. As such, stores that remain in operation will provide only pick-up at the door or delivery to home activities to further protect our employees and customers.”

[Via]