Consider home delivery of liquor to maintain social distancing norms: SC to states

The Supreme Court of India has refused to stay liquor sales across the country after reports surfaced about long queues and chaos. The SC bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said that it will not pass any order on liquor sale prohibition. However, the apex court said that states should consider indirect sale/home delivery of liquor to maintain social distancing norms and standards. Liquor sales in different states started from 4th May after which chaos created as tipplers refused to follow social distancing norms amid lockdown.

App-based food delivery company Zomato is said to be considering branching out into door-delivery of alcohol, according to a document seen by news agency Reuters. There is currently no legal provision for home deliveries of alcohol in India, something industry body International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI), Zomato and others, are lobbying to change. Appearing for the petitioner, lawyer J Sai Deepak argued social distancing was difficult to ensure at alcohol shops because of the limited number allowed to re-open and the massive crowds outside each. Alcohol stores, closed nationwide on March 25, were allowed to re-open this week, generating queues of hundreds outside outlets in some cities and leading to flouting of social distancing norms.