Beverages reopen on lockdown 3.0; Details you must know

As the third phase of lockdown begins today, sale of liquor is now allowed by the Centre with “certain conditions” in all zones, barring containment area, in standalone shops.

The order to reopen liquor shops is applicable to only standalone shops and malls or shopping complexes will continue to remain closed. The government has also asked shopkeepers to ensure that customers maintain a two-metre distance.

Besides liquor, the Centre has also allowed tobacco shops to resume operations in all districts as the new rules of Lockdown 3.0 stand applicable from May 4.

For the first time after the lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March, the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed the liquor and tobacco shops to reopen in green and orange zones and even in red zones but not outside containment areas or hotspots.

What do you need to know before you step out?

1. Which shops are open? Only standalone liquor and pan shops are allowed to operate in Lockdown 3.0. Those in containment zones or hotspots will not open on May 4. So, if the nearest liquor shop falls in a containment zone, it will not open.

2. What about the timings? The liquor and pan standalone shops will remain in all three zones till 7pm. In the guidelines for Lockdown 3.0, the Centre had allowed all non-essential shops to remain open only till 7 pm.

3. Also, remember that the Centre has allowed movement of individuals for non-essential activities in all zones, barring containment areas, strictly between 7 am and 7 pm. You will not be allowed to step out to buy

4. What about social distancing? Only five persons will be allowed in a shop at a time while social distancing norms are followed. Masks or face covers continue to necessary. The Home Ministry has asked shopkeepers to ensure that customers maintain a 2-metre distance.

While the Centre set conditions as it announced the reopening of liquor shops across India on May 4, except containment zones, the states have also notified conditions for reopening of liquor shops based on their assessment.

DELHI

The Delhi government has announced the implementation of the latest lockdown relaxations which includes reopening of liquor shops. Around 150 liquor shops in Delhi are expected to open from May 4. The Delhi government has issued an order allowing state-run liquor shops to operate from 9 am to 6.30 pm, and directed deployment of marshals at these outlets to maintain social distancing. “About 150 liquor shops are likely to open in Delhi from Monday,” an official said. The order to reopen liquor shops is applicable to only standalone shops and malls or shopping complexes will continue to remain closed. The government has also asked shopkeepers to ensure that customers maintain a two-metre distance. In accordance with Centre guidelines, liquor shops will not be allowed to open in coronavirus containment zones in Delhi.

UTTAR PRADESH

As Lockdown3.0 kicks in on May 4, liquor shops in Uttar Pradesh will finally open. The liquor shops, which are not located in shopping malls, can be opened from 10 am to 7 pm with social distancing norms in place to ensure that not over five persons are there at a time, an official said on Sunday. UP government has clarified that alcohol sale will not be permitted at hotels and restaurants.

WEST BENGAL

Liquor shops are allowed to reopen in West Bengal from May 4 but only in the green zones. The West Bengal government has said it will not allowing liquor shops to reopen in the red zones and hasn’t decided on those located in the orange zones. West Bengal government officials are expected to hold a meeting on Monday to decide if liquor shops will be allowed to reopen in orange zones. Also, the West Bengal government had imposed a sales tax of 30 per cent on MRP of the liquor bottles across categories.

MAHARASHTRA

The Maharashtra government has announced that shops selling non-essential commodities, including liquor, will be allowed to open from Monday in the non-containment zones across the state. The sale of liquor will be allowed only in standalone shops. Social distancing norms have to be followed.

CHHATISGARH

The government in Chhattisgarh has allowed reopening of liquor shops in non-restricted areas from May 4. The liquor shops will be allowed to remain open from 8 am to 7 pm. A government official on Sunday had said that the district administration can take a call on the timing of operation of liquor shops as per the period of lockdown fixed by them in their concerned areas. The excise department in Chhattisgarh has also planned to start home delivery of alcohol at some places to discourage crowding at wine shops.

Karnataka Excise Commissioner has ordered that only retail shops and state-run retail shops like Mysore Sales International Limited will open from May 4. The sale of liquor will be allowed between 9 am and 7 pm only in areas that are outside containment zones. Barricades have been being erected to ensure that people stand in line and boxes or circles drawn in front of shops to maintain social distancing in front of shops.

The Karnataka administration has called for a number of customers to be limited to five at a time while ensuring that social distancing of not less than six feet distance is maintained. The customers and the staff will also have to wear masks and sanitisers are to be made available at shops.

ASSAM

The Assam government has allowed reopening of liquor outlets across the state. All shops selling foreign and country-made liquor across the state are allowed to operate. The Assam government had earlier allowed the sale of liquor from April 12 but had to stop it after three days following a directive from the Centre.

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government has allowed liquor shops to operate from May 4. The HP government has also decided not to charge any licence fee from liquor vends for the period (March 22 to May 3) when they remained closed due to coronavirus lockdown.

KERALA

No liquor shops will be allowed to operate in Kerala. Kerala CM Vijayan had earlier made it clear that liquor shops, malls, beauty parlours and barbershops will continue to remain shut in the state.

PUNJAB

While Punjab has allowed the opening of shops in a staggered way on rotation for four hours every morning after May 3, the sale of liquor will continue to be prohibited.