Coronavirus UK: Can you still buy alcohol during lockdown? And what countries have banned it?

30 March 2020, 11:43 | Updated: 7 June 2023, 08:56

Will the UK ban alcohol sales during the coronavirus outbreak? And what countries have already? Here’s everything you need to know about the supposed NHS ban.

Coronavirus has the UK in lockdown in their homes with trips outside the house restricted to one piece of exercise a day and essential trips to the supermarket.

With stockpiling at an all-time high and pubs, restaurants and bars also closed, the UK have also emptied the alcohol shelves - so will we see Boris Johnson and the NHS ban alcohol during lockdown?

Supermarket lockdown rules: Can I pay cash and what are the opening times?

A supposed NHS letter has been doing the rounds on social media this weekend suggesting you can no longer buy alcohol in the country - but is it real?

So can you still buy alcohol during lockdown? Will the UK ever ban it? And have any other countries banned it? Here’s the rules:

Can you still buy alcohol during lockdown?

There have been many social distancing and isolation rules put in place but banning alcohol is not yet one of them.

The NHS letter you may have seen on social media stating the Government has put a strict ban on alcohol sales is a fake.

Will the UK ban alcohol?

At the moment there is no indication Boris Johnson and the government will ban alcohol.

Off licenses, local shops and supermarkets are all permitted to continue to sell it under usual Government laws and guidelines.

What countries have banned alcohol during lockdown?

Banning alcohol during lockdown has happened in some places across the globe including the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, Aisne in France and even South Africa.

Some of these are to help reduce violence against children, while South Africa has also banned smoking.