Pondy extends lockdown till May 31; Curbs eased, liquor shops reopening likely on Wednesday

(Eds: Updates with postponement of reopening of liquorshops) Puducherry, May 18 () The COVID-19 lockdown wasextended in the union territory of Puducherry till May 31 inkeeping with the Centre's guidelines, Chief Minister VNarayanasamy said on Monday as he announced relaxationsincluding allowing intra-state bus services, while liquoroutlets are likely to reopen on Wednesday. Though earlier in the day he said liquor shops would alsoreopen from Tuesday, late on Monday night the Chief Ministerannounced it has been deferred, saying a special cabinet meetdecided to impose "corona tax" on alcoholic beverages and aformal approval for it was necessary from Lt Governor KiranBedi.

"A notification in the gazette should also be publishedon the quantum of corona tax on liquor and also on petrol anddiesel. This formality involves some time and hence reopeningof the liquor shops Tuesday is not feasible and it is likelythat these would restart business on Wednesday," he toldreporters here after the late night cabinet meeting.

In his first media interaction earlier in the day,Narayanasamy said the liquor shops would function from 7 am to7 pm and a decision on imposing the corona tax would soon betaken to augment the union territory's revenues.

The liquor 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 hotels would be allowed to functionfrom 6 am to 7 pm from tomorrow, Narayanasamy said.

Shops were earlier permitted to function till 5 pm.

People turning up at the liquor shops should wear masksand maintain social distancing, he said, noting that sinceoutlets in Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam regions areclosely situated, there was possibility of them drawing largenumber of customers.

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. CORRVS VS