Despite the lockdown, extensive efforts have been made - both by authorities and vendors - that essential services remain uninterrupted, so that people are able to buy the things they need to survive. However, not everything they needed (apparently) was part of the essential goods list - alcohol being one of them.?
However, the ban of alcohol brought along a series of unfortunate incidents, of people committing suicide or consuming home-made liquor which only worsened their health. From drinking paint to hand sanitisers, to intoxicate themselves, people resorted to a lot of dangerous options which obviously yielded unpleasant results.?
While some states are yet to ease the restrictions on the sale of liquor, others have decided to lift the ban,?provided social-distancing is practiced by all. Some states are even providing delivery service of liquor to the customers' doorstep.
Here is a list of the states where the ban on liquor-sale has been temporarily lifted.
Assam -?The sale of alcohol has been permitted in the state, provided everyone follows the rules of social-distancing and adequate permission slips are obtained. The liquor stores will be open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and all the distilleries, bottling plants and wholesale warehouses have also been given the green signal, so that they can start their operations. However, the official order stresses on the fact that each establishment will not utilise more than 50% of their staff.
Meghalaya 每?The state government has allowed the sale of alcohol from April 13 to April 17 with the timing being from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. All the people who wish to sell/buy liquor are ordered to practice social-distancing and only one person from each household will be allowed to go out to purchase liquor.?
West Bengal 每?Home delivery of alcohol is now allowed in the state, after CM Mamata Banerjee gave permission for the same. In order to deliver alcohol to the customer, police passes need to be obtained by store owners.
Punjab and Kerala 每?These two states had already placed alcohol in their essential services list and had the sale of liquor exempted from the lockdown restrictions. Just like the rest, there was emphasis on the practice of social-distancing and following hygiene protocol.
The country's lockdown is supposed to end on April 14 even though a handful of states have extended their own lockdowns. PM Modi is expected to address the nation at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning which will hopefully clear everyone's doubts, regarding whether or not there will be an extension.?
Inputs from ANI.