Bengaluru, May 3: Erection of barricades and drawing up of boxes or circles aimed at maintaining social distancing were seen in front of liquor shops in different parts of Karnataka on Sunday, a day ahead of their reopening after a gap of over 40-days, due to the lockdown.
Karnataka Excise Commissioner on Saturday had ordered that only CL-2 (retail shops) and CL-11C (state-run retail shops like Mysore Sales International Limited) would open from May 4.
It had permitted liquor sale liquor between 9 am and 7 pm only in areas that are outside COVID-19 containment zones.
Reports of barricades being erected to ensure that people stand in line and drawing of boxes or circles in front of shops to maintain social distancing in front of retail and MSIL shops have emerged from across the state, including the state capital.
Also reports about shop keepers doing special poojas outside liquor shops in Kolar and some even illuminating their outlets with lights from outside have surfaced from other parts of the state.
Meanwhile, officials were engaged in checking stocks ahead of the shops opening on Monday morning.
"We are making all preparations to ensure that government rules are followed. We also seek the cooperation of the people and police," the manager of a shop said.
Another said there may be a rush initially, after which things may get back to normal.
"We expect things to go on smoothly," he added.
Calling for number of customers to be limited to five at a time while ensuring that they maintain social distancing of not less than six feet distance, the order states that customers and the staff will have to wear masks and sanitizers should be used at the shops.
Only stand alone CL-2 and CL-11C shops are allowed to commence liquor sale and not those at malls and super markets, it said.
Officials in Bengaluru said liquor sale is prohibited in 26 containment zones in the city, while in other places rules that have been prescribed need to be followed.
In case of any violation, strict action would be taken, including imposing of penalty, they said.
There was pressure on the government to kick start economic activities, including allowing sale of liquor, to boost the state's finances as excise is the key area which generates revenue.
State Excise Minister H Nagesh had recently pegged the losses at Rs 60 crore per day because of closure of liquor shops, due to the lockdown.
Comments
Jaffer Sharief funeral procession is finished without much hype.
The entire Kannada media is busy to show only Ambarish funeral procession continuously from the last three days.
May Allah grant his soul in peace.
Is the Congress President too busy to attend the funeral of one of the doyens of Congress? Not politicising it. People who had known him wouldnt appreciate the RaGa's absence whilst he head dashed to TN for funerals with political motives. Or was it that he didnt want to attend the funeral of the person who forced his father into Politics post Sanjay Gandhis demise, where he lost him?
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