Zambian Breweries is distributing 2,700 COVID-19 kits valued at K1 million to bars and night clubs in Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe to help bar owners beat the virus.
The Zambian Breweries team, led by country director Jose Moran, was joined by Lusaka City Council representatives in Lusaka’s Chawama area to kick-off distribution of the kits on Friday (September 18), just a week after President Edgar Lungu announced the partial opening of drinking places in his speech to Parliament.
“This is part of our committed to fighting COVID-19 with government. Our pledge is to be responsible together, even as bars and night clubs are partially open,” said Mr Moran.
The kits comprise reusable face masks, COVID-19 posters, Zambian Breweries branded hand sanitiser and liquid soap.
Distribution of the COVID-19 kits coincides with marking of 2020 Global Beer Responsible Day (GBRD) by Zambia’s largest brewing company.
“As part of celebrating GBRD, we are ensuring that beer-lovers enjoy our beverages responsibly in safe drinking places. We believe these COVID-19 kits will help bar and night club owners in high density areas, such as Lusaka, join the fight against COVID-19,” Mr Moran noted.
The ZB country director urged licensees in the three cities to put the COVID-19 kits to good use.
“We would like to call on bar and night club owners in Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines, using these kits. They should, for example, disinfect their premises; and ensure all beer lovers wash and sanitise their hands,” he said.
Mr Moran also stressed the need for bar and night club owners to adhere to responsible selling practices and the current operational hours for their businesses, as guided by government.
“Please do not go beyond your operational hours, so that we can all work together in fighting COVID-19 with government. Ensure that you only open from Friday through to Sunday; from 18 to 23 hours as directed by the President. We are further calling on all bar and night club owners to also take the pledge with us and be #ResponsibleTogether” he emphasised.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) Administrator Nixon Nkwapu described the gesture by Zambian Breweries as an encouragement for bars and night club owners to operate under the new normal.
“For us to have this kind of support from Zambian Breweries, gives us a lot of encouragement and it helps us also support the business operators to be able to start their operations in an appropriate environment. This gesture is really helpful to business operators,” he noted.
And Bars and Night Clubs Owners Association Secretary General Edmond Lifwekelo expressed gratitude to Zambian Breweries for donating the COVID-19 Kits.
“Zambian Breweries has been all weather friend for us from the word go. We are happy that Zambian Breweries has involved us in giving out these COVID-19 kits to bar owners. This is quite commendable. It shows that they care for the general health of all their customers,” he said.
Mr Lifwekelo also hailed government for partially reopening bars and night clubs after five months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The brewing company has launched a vigorous campaign against irresponsible alcohol consumption dubbed #ResponsibleTogether.
Earlier this month, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Lusaka City Council in line with this campaign.
The company is also sponsoring a category called Best Reporting in Alcohol Consumption at the 18th MISA Zambia Platinum and Golden Awards scheduled for September 25, 2020.
