Tasmac mulls rationing liquor post lockdown

Also, only a limited number of shops would be reopened in the initial period.

According to a senior official, not all 5,300 shops would be reopened immediately. Those with good frontage space for social distancing would only be selected, the official told DT Next, adding that they would function under tight security to ensure that customers kept safe distance from one another. The authorities were in the process of selecting such shops, he added,

“The discussion to open only a limited number of liquor shops was initiated due to limited stock available in the depots. It won’t be enough to meet the demand from consumers,” he said. Once the government gave the nod to reopen the shops, all the stock from the depots would be transferred to the selected shops.

The official said that authorities were also discussing to limit the timing of sales due to the threat of coronavirus infection. “Perhaps the timing of sales will be reduced by three to four hours depending upon the situation and government’s decision,” he added.

To ensure that all customers followed social distancing norms strictly, it has been decided to immediately close down shops where the buyers created ruckus, the official said.

He said the salesmen would be strictly instructed to stop bulk selling of liquor to the consumers, who are expected to try and stock as many bottles as possible fearing another stretch of time when the liquor shops are closed. “The liquor quota for one person will be decided soon,” he added.

According to the official, all shops would be sanitised before opening. “No decision has been taken to open bars attached to the Tasmac outlets,” the official said. He said the government would soon decide when and whether distillery companies could start manufacturing liquor.