Unlock 4.0: Nightlife (with social distancing) to return in Bengaluru

Karnataka Excise minister H Nagesh gave pub and bars permission to serve liquor from September 1 across the state. Permission was granted to fill only half their seating capacity following social distancing norms.  

Bengaluru: After five months of restriction on sales; pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants in Karnataka will be allowed to serve liquor from 1 September.

Confirming the same, excise minister H Nagesh said all the establishments will be allowed service of liquor, but with only 50% of their seating capacity.

The decision has been made under the Unlock 4.0 guidelines and measures.  

The minister also stated that social distancing had to be maintained along with all the precautionary measures of Covid-19. All the pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs should maintain room temperature between 24-30 degree Celsius in the service hall, he added.

The Minister of excise also claimed that with restricted sales, the state has incurred an estimated loss of Rs 1435 crore till date (August 30).

Earlier, after a complete shutdown of liquor sales in March following the first lockdown, the state government had opened partial sales of liquor in the beginning of May by allowing MRP outlets to open for takeaway.

A few weeks after that came permission for clubs, bars, restaurants and pubs with RVB (Retail Vend of Beer) to clear their stock.

The Bengaluru district Wine Merchants Association president Lokesh told a news portal that even with the government permitting takeaway, there has only been marginal improvement of sales. The association had recently submitted a representation to the chief minister urging the state government to allow service of liquor.