If a purpose is about being useful or to have function then the intention was probably to keep most people home for a few hours, the virus is there 24/7/365, it serves no purpose.
Yes alcohol ban good for hospital bed capacity, allows medical staff to focus on Covid and other emergencies for now at least which is what we need right now. Also know it causes pain for people who earn a living from this industry. Problem is that alcohol causes some people to do terrible...