The COVID-19 Economic Relief Program passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by the president included a tax waiver for distillers making hand sanitizer, with federal excise waived taxes on the alcohol used to produce hand sanitizer. Numerous distillers and distilleries have diverted from beverage alcohol production to help with relief efforts all over the world, as hand sanitizer production needs are lagging yet in high-priority demand for health care workers and hospitals as well as high-risk groups. “This law represents a critical lifeline for distillers across the country, who are in desperate need of economic relief after shutting down their tasting rooms, ending distillery tours and experiencing significant sales declines from restaurant and bar closures. In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will be working closely with leaders in Congress and the administration to ensure they fully understand the financial hardships faced by distillers and the need for additional economic relief measures. We must move quickly to get America’s distilleries thriving again,” said Chris Swonger, CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, in a statement issued on March 27.