In Turkey’s latest covid-19 lockdown, alcohol sales are barred

EUROPE’S AUTOCRATS have different views on covid-19 and strong drink. Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’s president, says vodka might ward off the virus. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, begs to differ. Shortly after he ordered Turks to stay at home for 18 days, starting on April 29th, after a record surge in covid cases, his government said it would ban alcohol sales during the entire lockdown.The reaction was as predictable as a hangover after too many glasses of raki, a local aniseed-flavoured firewater sometimes called “lion’s milk”. Thirsty Turks besieged supermarkets and liquor stores. Beer and wine disappeared from shelves at a record pace. Secular types accused Mr Erdogan of using a health crisis to impose an Islamist policy. Similar accusations flew when, a few weeks ago, the government ordered all eating and drinking establishments to shut down over the holy month of Ramadan, ostensibly to curb the virus.