Buckfast production temporarily halted during pandemic

Staff who make the fortified wine have been sent home to comply with new coronavirus measures.

The production of Buckfast tonic wine has ceased with ‘immediate effect’ as a result of stringent new measures introduced to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

The company that manufactures the drink says its distribution network will now be freed up to play its part in “delivering vital essential commodities across the United Kingdom at this time”.

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, Buckfast chief Stewart Wilson said: “Our safety and wellbeing of our employees, and the wider community is of the utmost importance.

“We must play our part in helping to protect our NHS by asking our employees to stay at home.”

The caffeinated drink Buckfast, sometimes known as Bucky, is made at Buckfast Abbey in Devon and is popular in parts of Scotland.

Lewis Capaldi even carried a bottle on to the stage as he collected a Brit award at the O2 in London in February.

The move comes after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new curbs to try and stop the spread of the virus.

The UK is now effectively in lockdown in the fight against coronavirus, meaning everyone has to stay at home and will only be allowed to leave for reasons like shopping for basic necessities or for exercise.

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