Exuberant tipplers queue up in Meghalaya while maintaining social distancing

Hundreds of elated' alcohol lovers stood in serpentine queues while maintaining a distance of one metre from each other outside liquor vents in Meghalaya, after the state government on Monday opened wine shops owing to popular demand.

The shops were closed owing to the social distancing protocol to curb the spread of coronavirus.

At least 43 wine shops and 11 bonded warehouses across the state capital were permitted to open from 9 am to 4 pm till April 17, state excise department officials said.

In all, 70 liquor shops were given permission in East Khasi Hills district alone, barring those located in Iew Duh market and Police Bazaar area in the city, they said.

The state government has eased lockdown rules on liquor shops and bonded warehouses based on popular demand of the people, subject to strict compliance of social distancing and maintaining hand hygiene, a senior excise department official told PTI.

District deputy commissioners have been tasked to ensure strict observance of social distancing and disinfecting hands at the shops, he said.

Steven Lyngdoh 29, a tourist taxi driver, who was seen standing outside a liquor shop, said opening of wine shops has come as a boon to moderate drinkers like him.

Iolet Myrboh, a strawberry farmer, rued many villagers were consuming illegally-sourced and locally brewed alcohol due to closure of liquor shops during lockdown.

Excise Commissioner Pravin Bakshi had in an order issued on April 11 put a few riders on relaxing the COVID-19 lockdown. The order said only one member of a family can buy liquor at the shop in their vicinity.

Bakshi has also instructed district deputy commissioners to prohibit inter-locality movement or movement from one village to another in search of liquor.

During the lockdown period, on March 30, the state government had permitted home delivery of liquor on medical grounds, but the order was withdrawn the following day without citing any reasons.

The wine dealers and welfare associations here later appealed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma seeking permission to open the bonded warehouses and retail outlets citing popular demand and to deal with the stress caused by the current situation.

A senior police officer told PTI that liquor shops were seen following social distancing protocol and hand hygiene. Even those queuing up are also cooperating with the order, he said.

Hand sanitizers are being provided to customers even as employees of liquor shops are wearing masks as protection against COVID-19, Wanri Jyrwa, a liquor shop owner, told PTI.

Jyrwa thanked the government for easing the COVID-19 lockdown rules on liquor shops and said the relaxation will go a long way in ensuring that people do not suffer for too long from the ban.

B Lyngdoh, another liquor shop owner, said customers staying in those localities where liquor shops are not available are opting for home delivery options.

Meghalaya has over 500 retail liquor outlets and the state government earns yearly revenue of over Rs 150 crore.