BusinessCoronavirus Alcohol sales increased during pandemic, staying high as restrictions loosen By Julia-Claire Evans - July 8, 2021 (iStock) FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailPrint Drinking is something of a well-practiced pastime during the best of times in Baton Rouge, but during the pandemic—with its isolating stay-at-home orders and social distancing restrictions—people apparently took it up a notch … or two. Already an INSIDER? Sign in.