Guwahati: With the BJP-led Assam government allowing liquor shops to remain open amid nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus disease, people from across the state could be seen making a beeline for alcohol at these outlets while maintaining “social distance”.
Endorsing the government’s decision, a local resident visiting one of the liquor shops told ETV Bharat, “as per the rules, (the arrangements made) it is fine. People are made to maintain a distance of one metre. So, it is legal (safe). I have come to the wine shop after such a long time, I better buy one (alcohol) for myself. Haven’t had anything to drink for a very long time. Don’t feel so good anyway. Haven’t been able to get out of the house because of the lockdown.”
"Please don’t go out in vehicles to buy liquor from wine shops. Legal action will be taken, also maintain #SocialDistancing," tweeted the Assam police after witnessing the long queues in front of the liquor shops.
The state government on Sunday issued a notification allowing retail liquor shops to reopen from April 13 for seven hours daily between from 10 am to 5 pm, while asking the shopkeepers to keep minimum staff, provide hand sanitisers to customers and follow “social distancing” strictly.
"IMFL OFF/CS OFF shop shall remain open from 10 am to 5 pm on the permitted days. Shops may work with bare minimum staff and provide hand sanitisers to customers and staff while handling the bottles and cash,” stated a letter from Additional Commissioner of Excise SK Medhi to all deputy commissioners.
"Any violation of the guidelines issued with COVID-19 will invite cancellation of the Excise license," the order read further.
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Along with the liquor shops, wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries have also been allowed to operate from Monday. However, all these establishments were ordered to not use more than 50 per cent of their regular staff and workers.
It may be mentioned here that excise is one of the highest revenue earners for the state and unofficial sources said that illegal sale of liquor, particularly country liquor registered a spate during the lockdown period, thereby making a dent in the state’s excise collection.
Meanwhile, the total number COVID-19 positive cases in Assam rose to 30, with one more person testing positive on Monday. According to state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the infected individual hails from Dhubri and is related to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz.
So far, Golaghat has reported nine coronavirus cases, the highest in the state, four each from Nalbari and Morigaon, three each from Dhubri and Goalpara, two from Silchar and one each from Hailakandi, Kamrup (M), Kamrup, Lakhimpur and South Salmara.
