Modelo Suspends Beer Production due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Mexican beer brand Grupo Modelo, popularly known for producing popular beers such as Modelo and Corona, suspends operations and sales, effective Sunday, April 5, 2020.
By Clara Jaide on Apr. 05, 2020
The Mexican beer brand Grupo Modelo, popularly known for producing popular beers such as Modelo and Corona, suspends operations and sales, effective Sunday, April 5, 2020.
Modelo Group Suspends Production due to Coronavirus Emergency
Modelo Group’s decision to temporarily suspend production and sales came after The Government of Mexico declared a state of emergency across the country due to COVID-19 concerns as the country surpasses 1,500 cases and 50 deaths. Mexico’s Government outlined in the state of emergency declaration that all non-essential activities should suspend services indefinitely. Brewing and beer production currently falls under “non-essential services.”
Grupo Modelo’s Corona beer made the headlines soon after consumers mistakenly associated it with Coronavirus. However, Constellation Brands, the producers of Corona in the United States, clarified that this did not affect sales as mentioned in many headlines.
Though beer production is not considered an essential service, Groupo Modelo is hopeful that the government will change this by declaring beer as an essential agro-industrial product. The company, which is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, says that should the federal government decide later that its product was essential, says they are fully prepared to reinitiate production with at least 75% of its employees working from home “in the case that the federal government considers it appropriate to issue a clarification confirming beer as an agro-industrial product.”
How will this affect the availability of Corona and other Grupo Modelo beers?
Currently, the state of the availability of Corona and Modelo beers globally due to the shutdown is unknown. This announcement has sparked a surge in panic-buying in many parts of Mexico.
Alternatively, beer production and sales are listed under essential services in Canada and many parts of the United States as long as they operate under physical distancing measures. This has created many beer delivery and curbside pick up options to help beer drinkers get beer while limiting physical contact with others. Read more about how breweries are staying afloat during COVID-19 and a list of beer deliveries offering delivery services.
Looking for more information on how Coronavirus is affecting breweries and beer production? Check out these articles you might be interested in:
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How Local Breweries are Taking Initiatives to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Beer Delivery & Curbside Pickup – How Craft Breweries are Overcoming COVID-19