Karnataka Permits Opening Of Standalone Liquor Outlets Across The State Except In Containment Zones (Timing 9 am-7 pm) 

Karnataka has permitted the sale of liquor in all standalone outlets except those located in containment zones, the state government announced on Saturday (May 2).

As part of easing the lockdown restrictions, liquor shops would be allowed to reopen across Karnataka, including in red zones but not in the containment zones, state Excise Minister H. Nagesh announced on Saturday (May 2).

"Liquor shops or their retail outlets are allowed to reopen from May 4 across the state, including in red zones like Bengaluru and Mysuru, except the hotspots listed by the state health care department," Nagesh told reporters here.

"The licensed shops will remain open for business from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and should not allow more than five customers inside it at a time to maintain physical/social distancing," Nagesh asserted.

"While liquor will not be sold in the hotspots, people are also banned from taking drinks or drinking them in the containment zones in the red zones," Nagesh pointed out.

Liquor shops have already been allowed to reopen in the green zones across the state where no virus case was reported over the last 28 days.

"Drunken driving and liquor induced brawls or violence are not allowed," the minster added.

Though Bengaluru urban district is classified as a Red Zone under the methodology followed by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , the state government clarified that businesses outside containment zones will be allowed to reopen. There are 23 containment zones in Bengaluru and 123 in the state.

The state government is losing around Rs 60 crore revenue every day due to closure of liquour shops due to the lockdown.