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Assam Liquor Shops to Remain Open from Tomorrow Between 10 AM to 5 PM with Covid-19 Protocol

Assam Liquor Shops to Remain Open from Tomorrow Between 10 AM to 5 PM with Covid-19 Protocol

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Assam Assam

Guwahati, April 12, 2020:

Assam has approved the opening of licensed IMFL (Indian-made foreign liquor) shops, wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries with effect from April 13.

The IMFL “OFF/CS “OFF” shops will be open from 10 AM to 5 PM. The shops have been directed to work with bare minimum staff (50 percent) and provide hand sanitizers to customers and staff while handling the bottles and cash.

“The Licensee of IMFL “OFF/ CS “OFF” shops, wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries shall be personally responsible for deploying their staff to ensure maintaining social distancing of at least 1 meter between customers, staff, cough etiquette and to strictly follow all directives issued by National Health Mission, Assam with reference to COVID-19 situation,” stated the notification.

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The liquor shops have also been urged to direct customers to other nearby shops to avoid overcrowding. The Assam Government has directed the shops to extend full cooperation to District Administration, excise and police departments.

The Superintendent of Excise has been directed to deploy Excise officials to monitor the compliance of directives issued by National Health Mission, Assam with reference to COVID-19 situation.

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The wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries “must arrange to keep their staff and workers within their campus and shall arrange food and other amenities for them. If the arrangement is not possible they shall also arrange to keep such workers and staff at a designated place nearest to the factory premises. They shall also arrange transportation for the staff and workers from the designated place to the factory by observing all the COVID-19 guidelines.”

Vehicles passes will have to be obtained from the DCs of the districts for transportation of liquor. The Government has strictly made it clear that in case of any violation of the guidelines, the Excise license can be cancelled.

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It may be mentioned here that the Indian Alcoholic Beverage Industry had asked the Centre and state governments to chalk out a plan and allow the opening of distilleries and bottling plants in a phased manner.

It had also sought phase-wise opening of retail and on-trade (pubs, restaurants, etc) establishments in non-Covid-19 hotspots and commencement of online sales under strict government observation to fulfill the criteria of social distancing.

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In its letter to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) had sought an urgent “phase-wise opening of the alcoholic beverage industry in conformity with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.”

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Edited By: Admin
Published On: Apr 13, 2020