SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is seeing a boost in sales as a result of panic buying because of the novel coronavirus.
In year-over-year sales figures provided to FOX 13, the DABC has experienced a significant jump in sales.
For example, March 14 (a Thursday) saw $1.5 million in sales in 2019 and $2.6 million in sales on the comparable March 12 . On March 15 (Friday), the agency did $2.3 million in sales in 2019 and $3.3 million on the comparable March 13 of this year.
March 18 saw $1.1 million in 2019 and $2.6 million on the comparable March 16 of this year.
Utah is a liquor control state, meaning all alcohol is sold through state-run stores. As people have been urged to stay home to keep from spreading COVID-19, liquor stores have seen long lines and people "panic buying." The DABC says it still has plenty of stock, but recently started limiting hours to help alleviate pressure on store workers and will limit how many people can come in to practice safe social distancing.
Sales of Everclear, which is high enough proof to be used as a disinfectant, has also been rationed.
