WSWA is closely monitoring the situation around COVID-19 while actively coordinating with federal, state and local decision makers on behalf of almost 400 wine and spirits wholesalers, nationwide.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America COVID-19 News, Updates & Resources
- Full List of COVID-19 State Legislative Changes, Closures and Rulemakings Impacting Wholesalers (as of 5/28/2020)
- COVID-19 State Essential Business Rulings (as of 4/9/2020)
- COVID-19 State On-Premise & Off-Premise To-Go & Delivery Temporary Orders (as of 4/27/2020)
- COVID-19 Related Changes to State Credit Laws (as of 4/25/2020)
- COVID-19 Related Changes to State Product Return Rules (as of 4/30/2020)
- Letter from WSWA CEO & President Michelle Korsmo to 50 U.S. Governors - If you would like a copy of the letter sent to the Governor of your state, please contact Christina Sartori at christina@wswa.org.
- Letter from WSWA CEO & President Michelle Korsmo to State Regulators
COVID-19 SBA Program Resources:
- SBA COVID-19 Programming FAQs (as of 4/6/20)
- Paycheck Protection Program FAQs (as of 4/3/20)
- Small Business Debt Relief Program FAQs (as of 4/3/20)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Grants FAQs (4/3/20)
- Small Business Counseling & Training FAQs (4/3/20)
- Small Business Contracting (4/3/20)
- Small Business Tax Provisions (4/3/20)
Federal News & Resources:
- WSWA COVID-19 Priorities & Actions (as of 3/27/20)
- Letter from WSWA CEO & President Michelle Korsmo Calling for Alcohol Industry-Wide Inclusion in COVID-19 Hospitality Relief
Other Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor Guidelines – Paid Sick Leave, Expanded Family and Medical Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Questions and Answers
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Guidance on production of alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau – Guidelines on the Production of Hand Sanitizer to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Employee Safety Best Practices
- WSWA 77th Annual Convention and Exposition Cancelled
- WSWA COVID-19 Statement
- Responsible Alcohol Sales During COVID-19 Are Essential Infographic
- Statewide Bar and Restaurant Dine-In Restrictions Map (as of 4/1/20)
- Statewide Bar and Restaurant Dine-In Restrictions Map (GIF - as of 3/31/20)
- Essential Employee Letter
Retail Partner Resources
Let us know what you are doing in your community! Email Emily Magram at emily@wswa.org to be featured in our #WholesalersDeliver campaign.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2020 – The Hill
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 – Seven Fifty Daily
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 – The Hill
Alcohol distributors urge governors to keep liquor stores open
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 – Forbes
Wholesalers Warn Of ‘Black Market Liquor’ If Liquor Stores Close Amidst Coronavirus
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 – Shanken News Daily
Online Alcohol Providers See Major Boost Amid Coronavirus Sheltering
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Thursday, March 19, 2020 – ted Magazine
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Friday, March 20, 2020 – POLITICO
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Friday, March 20, 2020 – GuildSomm
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Friday, March 20, 2020 – The Drinks Business
A BLACK MARKET FOR BOOZE COULD EMERGE IN THE US IF LIQUOR STORES CLOSE
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Friday, March 20, 2020 – USA Today
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Sunday, March 22, 2020 – The Hill
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Sunday, March 22, 2020 - Kane's Beverage Daily
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Monday, March 23, 2020 - The Boston Globe
Yes, packies are considered essential businesses in Massachusetts
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Monday, March 24, 2020 – Dow Jones Market Watch
Here’s everything lobbyists wanted in the coronavirus stimulus package
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Monday, March 24, 2020 – Beverage Media Group
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Monday, March 25, 2020 – The Hill
Business groups call for consistent definition of ‘critical infrastructure’ for coronavirus response
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Monday, March 25, 2020 – Kane’s Beverage News Daily
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Monday, March 25, 2020 – Kane’s Beverage News Daily
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Tuesday, March 26, 2020 – Beverage Daily.Com
US distillers work together to produce hand sanitizer on mass: 'We are in this together'
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Thursday, March 26, 2020 – Robb Report
Why Pennsylvania's Decision to Close Liquor Stores Could Do More Harm Than Good
- Saturday, March 28, 2020 – South Coast Today
Spiked run but South Coast liquor sales back to normal with stores staying open - Monday, April 6, 2020 - Heavy
States Are Being Urged to Ban Alcohol Sales During the Pandemic - Monday, April 6, 2020 - BusinessWire
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Proof Platform and Drizly Can Help Local Beverage Alcohol Retailers Quickly Move Online - Wednesday, April 8, 2020 – Fox News
Coronavirus prompts some states to close liquor stores, while others allow cocktail deliveries - Thursday, April 9,2020 - The Hill
Coronavirus business booms for alcohol app Drizly - Friday, April 10, 2020 - Bloomberg
Pot, Liquor ‘Essential’ to Keep Up Spirits, Revenue During Virus - Friday, April 10, 2020 – Forbes
Pandemic Brews Battle Between Liquor Wholesalers, Distillers and Online Retailers - Monday, April 13, 2020 – Wine Enthusiast
As Wine Sales Boom, Distribution Channels Scramble to Keep Pace - Friday, April 17, 2020 - ABC
How coronavirus is causing confusion with state's alcohol laws - Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - Forbes
How the Wine Market is Holding up in The Times of Coronavirus - Thursday, April 23, 2020 - Shanken News Daily
News Briefs for April 23, 2020 - Monday, April 27, 2020 - GlobeNewswire
Beverage Alcohol Industry Calls for Equal Tax Treatment for Imports Amid COVID-19 Crisis to Protect Jobs - Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - The Spirits Business
Six trade associations have written to the US government to call for uniformity in the delay of federal excise tax payments for domestic and imported alcohol amid the pandemic -
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Retail Leader
Critical Infrastructure Supply Chain Council Launches -
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Security Magazine
Consumer Brands Association Announces Critical Infrastructure Supply Chain Council -
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Consumer Goods Technology
CBA Spearheads Critical Infrastructure Supply Chain Council -
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - DC Velocity
Trade groups form government relations council to ease supply kinks during coronavirus crisis -
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Refrigerated & Frozen Foods
Consumer Brands Association Announces Critical Infrastructure Supply Chain Council Amid COVID-19 crisis -
Friday, May 8, 2020 - Beverage Wholesaler
DISCUS Lauds Appointment of Danny Wirtz as WSWA Chairman -
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - Forbes
Major Wholesalers’ Take On The Current Wine Sales Picture -
Thursday, May 14, 2020 - Eater Chicago
To-Go Cocktails Are Finally Getting Support From Illinois Elected Officials