Coronavirus: Delhi govt allows hotels, restaurants to serve liquor 

After a period of five months, the Delhi government allowed hotels and restaurants to serve alcohol in the state capital. Permission has only been given to entities that have a valid license to serve alcohol.

Image for illustration purposes. (Photo: Reuters)

After a period of five months, the Delhi government allowed hotels and restaurants to serve alcohol in the state capital. Permission has only been given to entities that have a valid license to serve alcohol.

However, according to the Unlock 3 guidelines issued by the Union’s Ministry of Interior, bars are currently banned from operating. Permission to serve alcohol has been revoked amid rising coronavirus cases in Delhi.

On June 12, the Delhi government allowed restaurants, hotels and clubs to sell their expiring beer stocks to liquor stores. The government had said this was aimed at minimizing their loss.

There are around 950 hotels, clubs and restaurants in the state capital that have an excise license. However, they have not been allowed to open since March 25, when the first nationwide lockdown was announced.

Previously, on May 4, the Delhi government approved the opening of stand-alone, government-run liquor stores. Until May 22nd, private liquor stores were allowed to operate, including in markets.

Four government agencies – the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation, and the Delhi Consumer’s Cooperative Wholesale Store – operate the city’s state-owned businesses.

(With contributions from agencies)

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