Social distancing norms violated as people in large numbers queue outside liquor shops

People in huge numbers started queuing up outside liquor shops in Delhi from early morning on Monday. The queues were seen as early as 7.30 am in some parts of the national capital where around 150 liquor shops were reopened as the lockdown entered the third phase. The scenes were similar across several states, including Karnataka and Maharashtra. With MHA ordering relaxations, liquor shops have been opened up across the country but with some strict guidelines of social distancing. 

However, photos and videos from Delhi, Karnataka and other parts of the country show little of these norms are being followed by the people. AAP MLA Somnath Bharti shared a video on Twitter and said the crowds at a Malviya Nagar liquor shop has triggered panic among the locals. People outside the shops in Karnataka were seen in a celebratory mood since early morning. Delhi government had said that around 150 shops in the national capital are being opened up from Monday for the third phase of the lockdown. Delhi is in the Red Zone with over 4,549 coronavirus cases.

Karnataka: People line up at a liquor shop in Bengaluru as state government permits the sale of liquor between 9 am to 7 pm from today. pic.twitter.com/3SmTwlO1w1

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020

#WATCH: People stand in a queue outside a liquor shop at Desh Bandhu Gupta Road in Delhi. Govt has allowed sale of liquor in standalone shops, neighbourhood (colony) shops or shops in residential complexes. pic.twitter.com/aF1g9cbz7L

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020

People lining up outside the wine shop in Malviya Nagar..... neighbors are getting worried....@DCPSouthDelhi plz take care of their worries. pic.twitter.com/wHZZfN2ydI

— Adv. Somnath Bharti (@attorneybharti) May 4, 2020