Liquor Shops Among These Others That Can't Open Up: All You Need To Know About Govt's Latest Order

Bars and liquor shops will not be allowed to open or sell alcohol despite the new order by the Ministry of Home Affairs that allowed the opening of stores that sell non-essential items.

Government clarified that this order will not be applicable to liquor shops and bars. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Bars and liquor shops will not be allowed to open or sell alcohol despite the new order by the Ministry of Home Affairs that allowed the opening of stores that sell non-essential items. The MHA in its latest order issued on Friday night permitted shops selling non-essential goods and services to reopen from Saturday (April 25). The latest order by the Central government allows the opening of the neighbourhood and standalone shops amid the Coronavirus lockdown in the country. As per Home Ministry order, shops that are allowed to reopen from today include those located in residential complexes within municipal areas, but at a 50 per cent strength and after taking necessary precautions.

#COVID19 update All registered shops regd under Shops & Establishment Act of respective States/ UTs, including shops in residential complexes, neighborhood & standalone shops exempted from #lockdown restrictions. Prohibited: Shops in single & multi brand malls pic.twitter.com/NNz9abgWdA

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 24, 2020

The government clarified that this order will not be applicable to liquor shops and bars. According to a PTI report, the order is for all shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State/UT, whereas liquor shop license is given under the Excise Act. There is no decision so far on the opening of liquor shops in any state. The order signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla made it clear that shops in marketplaces, multi-brand and single-brand malls located in municipality areas shall continue to remain closed till May 3. "All shops, including neighborhood shops and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective State and UT" will be allowed to open during the lockdown," read the statement issued by Home Ministry amending its April 15 orders. Meanwhile, all shops (multi brand or single brand) outside the limit of municipal corporations and municipalities will remain closed. Shops in market complexes and shopping malls within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities will also remain closed. Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls will also remain closed until further orders. Famous shopping markets such as Sarojini Market, Nehru Place Market, Lajpat Market etc will remain closed. Home Ministry also made it clear that the above mentioned exemptions will not be applicable in locations identified as hotspot and containment zones across the country.