Kerala; On Sunday, bars and liquor stores are permitted to operate

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to allow bars and liquor outlets to open on Sunday in areas where COVID-19 relaxations apply.

The decision comes a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan approved more shops operating on three days beginning Sunday in the aftermath of Bakrid, which falls on July 21.

Following a discussion with representatives of the trading community who had demanded more relaxations, the State decided to ease the restrictions.

Textile shops and other shops selling footwear, electronic goods, and fancy items, as well as jewellery shops, will be allowed to operate under Friday’s order. Bars and liquor stores have now been added to the mix.

The exemptions will only apply to local governments in categories A, B, and C, where the test positivity rate is less than 15%.