It must have been a liberating feeling for both consumers and businesses that the long alcohol ban has finally been lifted
The COVID‑19 pandemic and its associated government measures to limit mobility impacted businesses engaged in alcohol consumption. While the path to recovery remains long and difficult, the lifting of the ban provides a welcome transition hopefully to a journey towards normalcy.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the government moved to impose the ban along with curfew as it deems harmful alcohol consumption is a risk factor. The ban is related to the fact that not only alcohol consumption damages health, causes diseases and injuries, weakens response to COVID‑19, and leads to significant economic and societal costs, it also makes way for gatherings.
The lifting comes at the heels of improved Covid-19 status.
Davao Region’s average positivity rate in the first week of February was at 36. 2 percent and dropped in the second week at 20 percent and on the third week, it continued to drop significantly to 11.6 percent.
Amidst the euphoria of the liberating feeling from the cudgels of the liquor ban, it is still important that the government closely monitors the implementation and compliance to the minimum health standards.
Consider this, there is always a price to pay for freedom. With the end to the liquor ban comes the responsibility to keep everyone’s commitment to safety.
