Uttar Pradesh: Liquor Shops Reopen In Noida, Ghaziabad, Varanasi Amid Lockdown; Tipplers Throng Stores | See Pics

The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed liquor stores to operate in few cities including Noida, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Kanpur and Agra. 

(Images: PTI)

Noida: Even as Uttar Pradesh continues to grapple with Coronavirus infections, the authorities on Tuesday allowed liquor stores in various districts to operate amid the imposed lockdown. The news came as a rejoice for tipplers as they thronged alcohol stores to get their hands full of their favourite beverages. 

The Uttar Pradesh government has allowed liquor stores to operate in few cities including Noida, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Kanpur and Agra. 

As per the guidelines, liquor stores in Noida and Ghaziabad which comes under Gautam Buddh Nagar will be allowed to operate from 10 am to 7 pm daily, while in Varanasi, these shops will be open from 7 am till 1 pm. 

In Agra, liquor shops will be operational between 10 am till 1 pm. Bars and canteens, however, will continue to remain closed across Uttar Pradesh.

As always, hundreds of tipplers flock to buy alcohol as liquor shops in Noida open today. News agency ANI shared visuals outside a liquor store in Noida Sector 5. 

Check images below:

People wait in a long queue outside a wine shop, after the order to open liquor shops in Kanpur after liquor shops were allowed to open on Tuesday. (Image below: PTI)

People crowd at a liquor shop, amid a COVID-induced lockdown, in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad earlier in the day. (Image below: PTI)

It was reported that large crowd gathered flouting social distancing and other Covid protocols at various liquor stores forcing Police officials to take control of the situation. 

The liquor shops were reopened on Tuesday after Lucknow Wine Association (LWA) wrote a letter to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking permission for opening of liquor shops across the state.

Liquor shops were closed in the state after the government announced a partial lockdown or ‘corona curfew’ that has been extended till May 17 to break the chain of coronavirus infections. 

All restrictions will remain in force as before. Essential services will continue to be exempted. Strict action will be taken against those who roam unnecessarily.