People Crowd Outside Liquor shops
The Central government eased restrictions in the third phase of the lockdown and has permitted liquor shops to open.
Ever since Prime Minister announced nationwide lockdown from 25th March onwards, all liquor and tobacco shops have remained shut. The Central government eased restrictions in the third phase of the lockdown from 4th May. Liquor shops in all zones (red, orange, and green) except for containment zones have been permitted to open from 4th May. However, shopkeepers are instructed to ensure that customers maintain a distance of two meters between each other. These shops will be allowed to stay open till 7 pm. In Delhi, around 150 liquor shops reopened on Monday (4th May 2020). Now that liquor shops have reopened, people have been spotted queuing up outside the stores from the wee
hours on 4th May. Videos and images from Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have been seen on social media. People have completely forgotten about social distancing and are crowding to buy alcohol.
Some stores are trying their best to maintain social distancing. Some others were unable to stop people from
Crowding. Some photos show how circles have been sketched outside stores to specify where customers should be standing while waiting for their turn.
As per rule, only 5 people are allowed to be present inside the store and Section 144 is still applicable in
many states around the country. In one day Karnataka sold 12.4 lakh liters of alcohol and earnt Rs 45 crore in one day. The Delhi Government has imposed a 70% special corona tax on alcohol. This means a bottle having MRP of Rs. 1,000 will cost Rs. 1,700 to the buyer.
Opening of liquor shops has raised questions social media-
Is alcohol important in such a time when the country is trying to control the spread of the virus?
Is it right to sell alcohol when there are already problems of domestic abuse and other problems due to lockdown?
Will the long queues at the liquor store led to the spread of the virus and an increase in lockdown?
Is it right for the government to think about earning revenue at a time when we are facing so many problems?
Many are talking about this on social media and everyone has different opinions.
