Kerala: People throng liquor shops as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease

Thiruvananthapuram: Long queues were seen outside the BevCo outlet (Kerala State Beverages Corporation) at Power House road in Thiruvananthapuram and other liquor outlets as Kerala allowed reopening of liquor outlets and bars after easing the Covid-induced lockdown.

Saju Abraham, sub inspector of Kerala police told that the liquor shops were scheduled to open at 9am, but the impatient crowd began queuing an hour before. "The liquor shops opened at 9am, but the customers started queuing way before. There was a long queue outside BevCo at 8pm," he said.

He also mentioned that fines were being imposed on those who were violating Covid norms. "We have made three separate queues so that there is no overcrowding. If anyone violates social distancing, we slap fine on them".

In the wake of a resumption of liquor sales in the state from today, the police directed people arriving at sales outlets and bars to use masks and sanitizers and maintain social distance. The state police chief also directed to intensify patrolling near such establishments to ensure the following of Covid protocols.

The Kerala government on Tuesday decided to ease lockdown restrictions from June 17 and announced a slew of steps, including allowing shops selling essential goods to open every day from 7 am to 7 pm and reopen state-run beverages outlets in a restricted manner.

Meanwhile, India reported 67,208 new coronavirus infections today taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 2,97,00,313, according to the Union Health Ministry. The Covid-19 death toll climbed to 3,81,903 with 2,330 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. There are 8,26,740 active cases in the country.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

• COVID-19
• Kerala
• liquor
• liquor shops
• lockdown
• restrictions