Alcohol can be sold in Maharashtra during lockdown if social distancing norms are followed

In a recent announcement, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has stated that officials may give permission for liquor shops to be kept open in the state if social distancing norms are strictly followed. The state is currently observing a lockdown due to coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis until May 3, 2020.

The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) addressed a letter last week to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray seeking permission and recommendation to resume their business in phases. The state has been observing lockdown from March 24, 2020, and the liquor business in the city has seen an impact. 

Besides this, the recommendations from CIABC included a deadline extension in granting retail licenses to shops, permission to sell the purchased stock, considering cancellation of demurrage for the stock lying in government-run shops, running the shop by no more than two staff members etc. 

Also Read: Mumbai-Based Restaurateurs Share Concerns About The Lockdown Effect On The F&B Business

Some key points which were recommended stated that only those shops outside the COVID-19 hotspot zone can be kept open, in a phased manner for a limited time in the day. As per reports, the shops can be open only from 9 am to 11 pm between April 15 and May 15, from 11 am to 11 pm from May 15 to June 15, 2020, and the normal timings can resume only post-June 15, 2020. Further, single-window shops should only allow one customer at a time and only two customers at a time should be allowed if it is a walk-in shop. Customers should only stand in the circles marked outside the shops.

Officials from CIABC have also sought permission for home delivery of alcohol, which will be done post necessary checks.

Besides Maharashtra, some other states in India like Assam and Meghalaya have already opened liquor shops and permitted wholesale warehouses to run business for a selected number of hours per week.

As of April 20, 2020, the number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra has increased by 466, taking the total to 4666. The number of cases in Mumbai has also crossed the 3000-mark.