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Alcohol sales are set to be restricted across Western Australia to prevent panic buying and stop excess drinking during the coronavirus outbreak, with limitations on how much bottle shops can sell to patrons introduced.
Key points:
- The limits include one carton of beer and one litre of spirits
- The restrictions will apply initially for two weeks but may be extended
- They are aimed at reducing bulk buying and alcohol-related problems
Under the new restrictions coming into force this morning, daily limits will restrict people to purchasing the following:
- three bottles of wine
- one carton of beer, cider or premix spirits
- one litre of spirits
- one litre of fortified wine
But people will be able to purchase across two of those categories under the rules, which will come into force at 10:00am.
That means that people would still be able to buy a carton of beer and three bottles of wine per day, for example.
A litre of spirits and a carton of beer would also be permissible.
The restrictions are described as being enforced as "per customer per day" in an attempt to cut down on any bulk buying of alcohol.
Bottle shops were contacted this morning by director of liquor licensing Duncan Ord.
"These conditions will apply to hotel, hotel restricted, tavern, liquor store, producers, club, wholesalers and special facility licenses," the advice said.
The changes will be introduced initially for a two-week period, but could be extended or changed.
Restrictions to ease strain on hospitals
Premier Mark McGowan said the restrictions were not intended to stop people having a responsible drink.
"They are relatively minor, sensible measures that will help ensure our state is in a strong position to respond to COVID-19," Mr McGowan said.
"Alcohol-related issues take up an enormous amount of resources in our health system. These are resources we simply cannot afford to spare during the COVID-19 situation.
"We expect our hospital system to be under pressure in coming weeks, and we need as many hospital staff as possible on hand to assist."
Mr McGowan also warned of the dangers of West Australians buying up large amounts of alcohol at a time where they would be staying at home for extended periods.
"This only will result in problems throughout our society that we cannot afford right now," he said.
"These are problems that will stretch our police force and only put more pressure on our hospital system."
More details about the restrictions are set to be revealed by Mr McGowan and Police Commissioner Chris Dawson today.
Flagging the restrictions earlier this week, Commissioner Dawson said he would "exercise any emergency power to keep the community safe".
"We will consider all options depending on whether the community behave and do that in a civil way," he said at the time.
"They haven't done it with toilet paper."
Your questions on coronavirus answered:
West Australians were yesterday told to cancel their holiday plans and stay home instead of travelling within the state as the Government grapples to contain the number of COVID-19 cases.
The number of confirmed WA cases of the virus stands at 205 after another 30 were recorded overnight.
Topics: covid-19, infectious-diseases-other, respiratory-diseases, diseases-and-disorders, alcohol, health, state-parliament, states-and-territories, government-and-politics, perth-6000, wa
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