Liquor shops lined up in Delhi during the lockdown

New Delhi, May 4, 2020, Monday

The central government has given some relief in the lockdown including opening liquor shops in Red, Green and Orange zones. The wine shop, which opened after several days of lockdown, had been lined up with customers since morning in the capital Delhi. Even though the shops were open from 9 am to 6 pm, there was excitement among the liquor lovers. Following a long line, the police beat the sticks for not following social distance. Marshalls have also been instructed to maintain social distance in the wake of the corona virus infection in liquor shops in Delhi.

Not only in Delhi, but in every corner of the country, there was a line to buy liquor at liquor outlets. In some places, the line was about 1 km long. Police arrived in civil dress to see if social distance was observed. In Delhi, the Home Ministry has opened 150 out of 850 liquor shops in Lockdown with government relief. The city has a number of liquor stores run by government agencies and privately.

The order asked Excise officials to identify private shops with L-7 licenses. The government has so far allowed the sale of L-7 and L-8 licensed liquor stores run by four government agencies. The sale of liquor in malls and markets in Delhi has been stopped due to which liquor shops are crowded. The situation is similar in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Maharashtra government has said that alcohol will not be available in some districts till May 17. Now during the lock-down relaxation the crowd of alcoholics is likely to continue to grow along with the necessities of life.