As the country enters Covid-19 lockdown 3.0, the state government has decided to let liquor shops, including standalone shops to resume business on the condition that they will obey the lockdown rules
The government of Maharashtra has brought in some relaxations by allowing liquor shops in the state to open after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced some relaxations during the two-week Coronavirus lockdown extension that starts tomorrow, May 4, 2020. The permission extends to the red zones too barring a few exceptions.
The zones where the relaxation doesn’t apply?
The relaxation won’t apply on containment zones in areas in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and Malegoan. The government has been very vocal about not allowing liquor shops or other shops to open in all areas that have high Coronavirus contamination.
What all establishments will be open?
Liquor, tobacco, paan shops and standalone shops selling non-essential items will be allowed to carry out business. Also, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops running businesses in residential complexes, whether selling essential or non-essential items, will be allowed to resume business.
What all establishments will continue to remain closed?
Irrespective of the zone, all malls and market complexes in the state shall continue to remain closed.
What other activities will begin?
As per the directives, construction activities in all red zone districts will be allowed on the condition that the construction workers live on site and do not travel for work.
Also read: 6 things you should not do even after the Coronavirus lockdown eases or ends
What rules apply on the shops opening from tomorrow?
All establishments can continue business provided they abide by the lockdown rules already in place. The MHA has made a special mention that sale of liquor, paan and tobacco will be allowed on the condition that people will maintain a distance of a minimum of six feet between one another and also not let more than 5 persons at any given time.
Well, there has been a surge of happy messages all over social media ever since the announcement and though it may bring in relief for both the government and alcohol consumers, it reamins to be seen how the government plans to ensure obedience of lockdown rules.
Last Updated on May 3, 2020 by lp@admin
