india

Updated: Apr 25, 2020 13:58 IST

Sale of liquor shall remain prohibited amid the coronavirus lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified on Saturday. The ministry issued a clarification on its order on reopening of shops amid the Covid-19 lockdown and said that only standalone shops are allowed to open as per the directive. It said that no relaxation will apply to Covid-19 containment zones.

The release also clarified that e-commerce companies will only operate to ensure delivery of essential commodities to consumers.

“In urban areas, all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open,” the ministry said its release.

The MHA stated that shops in markets, market complexes and shopping malls are not allowed to open.

“Hair salons and barber shops render services. Our order is applicable to shops which deal in the sale of items. There is no order to open barber shops and hair salons. There is no order to open liquor shops too,” Joint Secretary (Home Affairs) Punya Salila Srivastava stated.

Only 50% of the staff at these shops will be allowed to work. The staff at these shops must observe social distancing norms and wear masks.

“It is clarified that sale by E-commerce companies will continue to be permitted for essential goods only. It is further clarified that the sale of liquor and other items continues to be prohibited,” the directive read.

In a late-night order on Friday, the Union ministry of home affairs issued new guidelines on the opening of shops across the country amid the coronavirus lockdown. The Delhi government has, however, put a hold on the order and will take a call on April 27.

The 21-day long nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country was extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14. The lockdown will now come to an end on May 3.