Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 2: With the Centre’s guidelines in place, the Karnataka government will allow liquor outlets to open in all places except containment zones after May 3.

The state excise commissioner has permitted in his order dated May 2 sale of liquor in CL-2 (retail shops) and CL-11C (state-run retail shops such as MSIL) besides depots of the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Ltd (KSBCL) effective from May 4 under certain strict conditions. The excise commissioner in his last order dated April 19 had banned sale of liquor till May 3 and functioning of liquor distilleries except those which produce alcohol based sanitizers till midnight on May 3.

The current order permits sale of liquor through KSBCL depots except in containment zones declared by the central and state government, district administration and local administration subject to the following conditions:

1. Liquor outlets are not allowed to function in containment zones announced by the state government / state government / district administration or local administration.

2. The permission is given to sell liquor only through retail shops and MSIL shops and KSBCL depots.

3. The liquor outlets may remain open only from 9 am to 7 pm.

4. Only five customers can be entertained at a time and they should maintain a minimum distance of six feet between each of them.

5. The customers visiting to buy liquor should mandatorily wear face masks and sanitizers should be used at the outlets.

6. Only standalone outlets are allowed to function. The permission to sell liquor does not apply to those outlets situated in malls and supermarkets.

7. Rules and regulations under Karnataka Excise Act and its relevant sections should also be observed along with the conditions mentioned above.