Pondy extends lockdown till May 31;curbs eased,liquor shops to reopen from tomorrow
The liquor outlets would be open from 7 am to 7 pmTuesday,Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters after aCabinet meeting where a decision to this effect was taken.
These shops have been shut since March 25 when thenation-wide lockdown was announced to contain the spread ofcoronavirus.
Intra-state bus services would also be resumed fromTuesday and all shops and hostels would be allowed to functionfrom 6 am to 7 pm from tomorrow, he said.
Shops were earlier permitted to function till 5 pm.
The chief minister said a decision on imposing'COVID-19 tax' on liquor and also on petrol and diesel wouldsoon be taken to augment the state's revenues.
He said since shops in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe andYanam regions are closely situated, there was possibility ofoutlets drawing large number of customers.
People turning up at the shops should wear masks andmaintain social distancing, he added.
Police, Revenue and Excise department officials wouldkeep a close watch and regulate the crowd.
Revenue from the liquor business by way of excise dutyis a major source of income for the Territorial government.
The Chief Minister also announced that the cabinet haddecided to extend the lockdown till May 31 in keeping with thedecision taken by the Centre. Cor SS BNWELCOME BNWELCOME