Will liquor stores be opened in country after May 3?

Liquor shop owners are prepared for contactless sales as stores will be opened in green zones from May 4  

New Delhi: On May 1, the Centre allowed the sale of liquor in standalone wine stores across the country from May 4 except in COVID-19 hotspots. It added that people should ensure a distance of six feet from each other and ensure that not more than five people are present at one time at the shop.

"Liquor stores and pan shops will be allowed to function in green zones while ensuring a minimum six feet distance (2 gaz ki doori) from each other and ensuring that not more than five persons are present at one time at the shop," the statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.

The Centre  categorised all 733 districts across the country in three zones – red (hotspots), orange (having a limited number of Covid-19 cases) and green (no cases).

Liquor and paan shops inside malls or marketplaces are not allowed to operate yet. Containment zones are those areas in red and orange zones that have been sealed due to a high number of COVID-19 infections. Only essential activities are permitted in these areas.

The government had prohibited sale of liquor and paan/gutkha since March 24, when the first phase of lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.