As with sales of groceries, medications and other goods, alcohol sales increased across the country in March as people stockpiled bottles to prepare for a long isolation through the COVID-19 outbreak. In Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, overall alcohol sales jumped 36 per cent in March compared with the same time last year. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)Ontario Premier Doug Ford cited concern for people with a dependence on alcohol as a basis for keeping liquor stores open. WATCH | Closing liquor stores wasn't an option, but we still need to talk about the risks that come with isolation and increased anxiety, author says:Booze, anxiety, isolation a ‘recipe for disaster’ during COVID-19 crisis. WATCH | Hundreds log on to sobriety town halls:Video meetings offer community for people struggling with alcohol, isolation, says author/host Laura McKowen.

Source: CBC News April 07, 2020 07:52 UTC