Madras HC has drafted guidelines for TASMACs selling liquor in Tamilnadu
Reportedly liquor stores in various parts of india reopened for business on May 4 in accordance with the Ministry of home Affairs' order permitting the sale of non-essential items amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown to contain further spread of the novel coronavirus.Day 1 of Lockdown 3.0 was marked with isolated incidents of violation of safety guidelines as massive crowds thronged liquor outlets, which were opening after around 40 days. In some parts of east delhi, queues were seen outside liquor shops contrary to social distancing advisories issued in public interest. In some cases, the police were prompted to rein in the chaos and ask all customers waiting in queue to go back home.
Explaining what led to the amalgamation of customers outside liquor stores on May 5, executive chairman of The international Spirits and Wines Association of india (ISWAI), Amrit kiran Singh told that this was the result of demand that had built up after over 40 days of closure of all liquor outlets owing to the nationwide lockdown. The lockdown came into effect on march 25 and was later extended till May 4 and then to May 17 with limited relaxation of restrictions.Circles were made outside liquor stores to ensure social distancing and queues adhered to safety advisories on Day 2 as compared to the first day, added Amrit kiran Singh. He also said that the reopening of liquor shops comes as a respite for state governments already reeling under the burden of sluggish GST revenues at a time of unprecedented crisis.
Amrit kiran Singh added that ISWAI on May 1 handed over a three-phased approach to the Union government in an effort to make liquor shops across the country safe for both customers and employees. Termed "SAFE SHIELD", this proposal is aimed at minimizing the risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus at liquor outlets. The first phase of the "SAFE SHIELD" approach includes demarcation of circles outside liquor stores to ensure social distancing among customers along with regular sanitisation of contact-points inside the shops themselves. Similarly, the second phase talks about a micro-site for liquor outlets in each state. The third and final phase of the "SAFE SHIELD" involves the Excise Department that can allow home delivery of alcohol.