Thiruvananthapuram; The Kerala government has announced re-opening of bars and toddy shops, among others,  that had been shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the state. An order was issued by Chief Secretary Viswas Mehta on Monday. As per the order, bars, clubs, beer and wine parlours, airport lounge bars and toddy shops will be opened, strictly following COVID-19 guidelines. The order has come into force from Monday.

Permission has also been granted for the functioning of toddy shops as per the provisions in the Kerala Abkari Shops Disposal Rules. The outlets of the state Beverages Corporations and Consumerfed would also function from 10 am to 9 pm. The government had decided to shut all the liquor shops since March 24 after the Union Home Ministry issued guidelines for the lockdown in view of the pandemic. After Unlock 3 guidelines came into force, the government had allowed sale of liquor as takeaway from special retail outlets following the virtual queue system. It has also said licenced clubs to sell liquor and food to their members as parcel with strict restrictions on the number of persons.

Excise Commissioner had recently recommended re-opening of bars in view of the fact that various states had given permission for opening of hotels with bars as per the guidelines of the Union Home Ministry. Apart from 598 hotels with bars and 357 beer and wine parlours, there are 301 government-run liquor outlets in the state.

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