East Khasi Hills | Winestores to open from May 4-9

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2020

The Deputy Commissioner (Excise), East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in an order issued on Sunday informed that wine stores and bonded warehouses in the district will open in selected locations and in strict compliance to the direction of the government from May 4 to May 9 from 9 am to 4 pm.

The order stated that wine stores and bonded warehouses in listed areas will open on the dates and timings as mentioned above. However, wine stores in locations close to the International Borders, narrow roads and lanes compromising the interest of social distancing and areas with high transmission risk will not open.

The Deputy Commissioner (Excise) has laid down conditions to be strictly complied by the Owners/Proprietors of wine stores whereby sale of liquor shall not exceed three litres of foreign liquor or wine and four litres of beer, per customer. The owners of the wine stores will utilize their own staff and they will personally be responsible to ensure social distancing of atleast six feet is maintained between customers, no overcrowding takes place or assembly of five or more persons in the vicinity of the shop, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow all directives and advisories issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department with reference to COVID-19 situation.

They are to strictly avoid overcrowding and congestion in one spot, staff of a particular wine store will disperse and direct the accumulating customers to other nearby wine stores within the same locality/village. Overcrowding of customers may invite further legal action. The owners of the wine stores will provide hand sanitizers free of cost to customers and staff while handling the bottles and cash and the wine stores will limit their staff to the barest minimum and they are to wear masks at all time, without fail. The Order also stated that wine stores will extend full cooperation and comply with the arrangement of District Administration, Police, Excise and other authorities involved by the District Administration for regulation and monitoring purposes.

The Deputy Commissioner (Excise) has also laid down conditions to be strictly complied by the customers whereby only one person per household is allowed to visit the wine store for purchase, to maintain social distancing of atleast six feet, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow all directives and advisories issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department with reference to COVID-19 situation. The customers are to avoid overcrowding and congestion in one location.

If there is any violation of the instructions by any person, be it wine shops or customers they shall be liable to be prosecuted against as per provisions of relevant Acts and Rules, the order stated.