Production of Corona beer has halted in Mexico amid concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement on Twitter, Corona producer Grupo Modelo announced that it would temporarily suspend production in order "to attend to the health emergency caused by the virus SARS-CoV2."
CNN Reports that the Mexican government would suspend all non-essential activities across both public and private sectors until April 30. The move was announced to help slow the spread of the virus, which has so far amassed over 1,500 confirmed cases and 50 deaths in the country. If the government changes breweries to be listed as essential, Grupo Modelo said it would "guarantee the supply of beer." Grupo Modelo also announced a donation of 300,000 units of antibacterial sanitizer.
In an earnings call, Constellation Brands CEO Bill Newlands said that there is "ample supply to meet consumer demand" in the United States, and that there shouldn't be any immediate shortages. The suspension of production comes after a survey last month indicated the pandemic had negatively impacted public perception of Corona Extra, the flagship pale lager that sports the Corona brand name.
In a survey of 737 beer drinkers, four percent said they would stop drinking Corona, while 14 percent said they wouldn't order it at a public venue. 16 percent expressed confusion over whether the beer had any relation to the virus, although this was before there was an explosion of confirmed cases in the States.
