Chaos outside liquor shops as India eases coronavirus lockdown

NEW DELHI (AFP): Liquor shops reopened across India in the non-containment zones after 40 days from today (Monday) with people queuing up in large numbers, giving social distancing norms a toss at some places. 

According to details, there were long queues in several cities including Delhi, Noida, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Jaipur.

Earlier this month, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had extended the 40-day nationwide lockdown for two more weeks and allowed liquor and tobacco shops to open in the green and orange zones.

According to an official from Home Ministry, about 150 government-run liquor shops have been allowed to open from 9 am to 6.30 pm in New Delhi.

The government has also directed the shops selling liquor to ensure social distancing and also make sure that not more than five people are present at one time at the shop.

Police in several cities of the country used batons to beat back thirsty Indians jostling to buy alcohol for the first time in 40 days.

Elsewhere such as in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh state police closed down the shops soon after they opened as social distancing norms were not being followed. In some other states, including Maharashtra, certain liquor stores remained shut amid confusion over which outlets were permitted to open.