In a development that is sure to grab attention, women now account for more than 50% of the workforce at Kerala State Beverages Corporation (<keyword id="21105310" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BEVCO" source="keywords">BEVCO</keyword>), the state-run liquor retail chain. This can be looked upon as a significant shift in societal norms, as women take up roles traditionally dominated by men in India's first known instance of women working as sales staff in liquor outlets. One of these women workers, Leena, who has been a salesperson at a BEVCO store in <keyword id="19897366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thiruvananthapuram" source="keywords">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword> for two years, initially had reservations about the job. "Initially, I was very worried, as we all considered it a problem. But after six months of working, I started enjoying the job, and we hardly encountered any problems," she told PTI. This progress wasn't without its challenges. Many women and their families were hesitant about working in liquor outlets, but it was the women themselves who fought for the right to be employed at BEVCO. "Ten years ago, women went to court and won their rights to work in BEVCO. Earlier, women were not recruited to work in liquor outlets, and the court directed the government to recruit women as well. Now women comprise more than 50 per cent of our workforce," said <keyword id="23234806" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harshita-attaluri" source="keywords">Harshita Attaluri</keyword>, Managing Director of KSBC in a statement to PTI. "If there are any complaints of misbehaviour from the side of the consumers, we immediately respond and police take action," Attaluri added. This change also reflects broader societal patterns in Kerala, where women make up more than half of the population. Despite initial concerns about long working hours, most of the women working in BEVCO stores report positive experiences with customers. "Our only problem is the long working hours. But any other job would have its own challenges," shared Sangeetha, another salesperson. "We find most of the customers who come to our outlets as friendly and cooperative," she added. She also revealed how her family is now her biggest supporter. "My husband is my biggest support and encourages me to work. This is a safer place to work," she said. Shop managers have also noted a positive shift in customer behavior with women behind the counter. Ashok, who manages a BEVCO store in Pattam, Thiruvananthapuram, told PTI, "With women at the sales counter, there is a marked improvement in consumer behaviour. When they see women at the counter, they are more gentle and well-behaved." The success of women in BEVCO has encouraged more women to apply for jobs through competitive exams. Women are not only working in sales but are also placed in administrative roles and warehouses. The corporation’s leadership reflects this shift as well, with a female Managing Director and a woman overseeing operations as Assistant General Manager (AGM). (With PTI inputs)

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

Tipplers in Kerala, who are <keyword id="9903595" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="regular-drinkers">regular drinkers</keyword> at the numerous bars in the state, are set to return to their favourite watering holes, since the State Excise department on Tuesday wrote to <keyword id="6362682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="chief-minister-pinarayi-vijayan">Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan</keyword> seeking permission to re-open them. Earlier, the Excise department had submitted a report to State <keyword id="9903596" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="excise-minister-t-p-ramakrishnan">Excise Minister T.P.Ramakrishnan</keyword> saying that as part of the unlock norms of the Centre, bars have been opened in the neighbouring states of <keyword id="20154" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> and Karnataka. Ramakrishnan,in turn, has passed the file to CM Vijayan. Hence it's only a matter of time before permission is given to bars in Kerala, too, to re-open and operate according to unlock norms. The department also pointed out that at present liquor and beer is available through bars at the same rates at the state-owned <keyword id="4345307" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Retail-Liquor-Outlets">retail liquor outlets</keyword>. As a result, retail outlets of the state-owned <keyword id="1000183" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Beverages-Corporation">Beverages Corporation</keyword> had lost their market share causing a revenue loss. Bar owners have also been demanding that the <keyword id="6356705" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pinarayi-vijayan">Pinarayi Vijayan</keyword> government give permission to resume normal bar services. The more than 500 bars in the state in the private sector have been closed since the last week of March. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/route-mobile-the-firm-behind-your-otps-600-crore-new-ipo-opens-tomorrow/articleshow/77996657.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">INTERVIEW: Route Mobile, the firm behind your OTPs, promoter reveals plan to tap the Apple ecosystem⁠</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/crypto-bugs-found-in-306-android-apps/articleshow/77997251.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Crypto bugs found in 306 Android apps</a>

Bars in Kerala may re-open soon, excise department seeks permission from CM

Thiruvananthapuram, May 3 () Liquor outlets, beautyparlours, spas, barber shops remained shut in Kerala whilefancy stores, bakeries and other stores opened on Monday asthe state government eased the coronavirus lockdownrestrictions. In the busy market places like Broadway in Kochi and Chalamarket in the state capital, police instructed the shopkeepersto down shutters as the shops were located close to each othermaking it difficult to maintain social distancing. Though public transport remained off the roads even ingreen and orange zone areas, where no cases were reported forlast 21 days,two-wheelers and four wheelers were seenaplenty. While liquorshops were not restricted by the Centre inthe Green Zones and Orange Zones its latest guidelines, thestate government decided it was prudent to keep them shut, ina setback to the tipplers in the state, which boasts ofhighest per capita consumption of liquor in the country. For the second consecutive day, no new COVID-19 cases werereported in Kerala while the number of cases under treatmentcame down to 34 after 61 people were discharged, ChiefMinister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Monday.He said so far 499 people have been infected with thecoronavirus, which has claimed three lives, including that ofa four-month baby girl from Malappuram.At least 21,724 are under observation, including 372 invarious hospitals, he told reporters here after the dailyevaluation meet on COVID-19.Over 33,000 odd samples have been tested,and 32,315 arenegative.On deaths of Keralites in various countries, Vijayanexpressed condolences and said it was painful to know aboutthe fatalities."More than 80 Keralites have lost their lives due to thedisease in various countries while reports from other statesalso show that Malayalees have been badly affected due to thevirus," Vijayan said.He also said at least 1,70,917 Keralites, stranded inother states have registered via NORKA (Non-resident KeralitesAffairs) portal for returning home."Till now, 56,737 Keralites have registered fromKarnataka and 56, 603 have registered from Tamil Nadu. As manyas 23,004 have registered from Maharashtra to return to thestate. At least 28,000 have applied for pass and 5,470 passeshave been distributed till 4 pm. By Monday noon, 515 peoplehave come to the state through various checkposts," Vijayansaid. He also added that 13,818 migrant workers have gone totheir respective states in the last two days through thespecial non-stop trains arranged for them from Kerala. On Monday, a train has left for Jharkhand carrying guestworkers from Kerala even as two others planned were cancelleddue to lack of permission from some states, a senior officialfrom Railway said.As part of easing lockdown restriction as per theguidelines issued by the centre, the state government hasallowed those in Orange and Green zones to make inter-districttravel after obtaining necessary passes from their respectivejurisdictional police stations.When asked whether the state has any plans to bear theticket charges, he said "no the state government was notplanning for anything like that. The guest workers have bookedthe ticket by themselves for their travel. We thought thecentre would bear the expense but that's not happening,"Vijayan added.Among those declared cured on Monday, the maximum of 19were from Kannur followed by 12 from Kottayam and 11 fromIdukki. RRT UDVS VS

Liquor outlets remain shut in Kerala on Day-1 of Lockdown-3

<ul><li>Kerala’s <keyword id="6958454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="liquor-home-delivery">liquor home delivery</keyword> app, BevQ, has fallen to a 2.1 rating on the <keyword id="6369511" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="google-play-store">Google Play Store</keyword>. </li><li>Even though BevQ was able to garner more than 100,000 downloads in less than 24 hours, many users have since reported multiple glitches in its functioning.</li><li>From issues of OTP generation to liquor delivery time slots on being available been 3:45 am to 9:00 am, more than 60% of the BevQ’s reviews at rated 1-star.</li></ul>Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, BevQ, has fallen from grace in record time. Currently, it holds a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store with more than 60% of its over 30,000 reviews giving it only 1 star. BevQ was launched with a lot of fanfare by Kerala Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan on May 26 as a way of avoiding overcrowding at alcohol shops. It even crossed over one lakh downloads in less than 24 hours of going live. In the past four days, it’s been downloaded over a million times. However, since then users have reported multiple glitches with the app from the receiving OTPs on time to delivery slots being switched out with any alerts. “I keep receiving messages that ‘something went wrong’ after I have added my name, cellphone number and pin code,” complained one user. <div type="twitter" handle="JimmyGeorgeMum" handlename="Jimmy George" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1144262559249379332/AP3N73Uw_normal.png" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@CMOKerala @vijayanpinarayi sir please scrap the BevQ app. It's not serving any purpose. There are queues everywher… https://t.co/DPraICcJeF" createdat="1590903725000" id="1266968170549501955"></div> "In order to maintain the social distancing especially in this COVID scenario this app will be usable and the client can book a queue number and token for assuring his place in the queue in the specified time slot," the app description on Google Play reads. Yet users report that the only ‘time slot’ that’s available is between 3:45 am and 9:00 am even though government guidelines dictate that bookings should only be available between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. <div type="twitter" handle="dineshbagavath" handlename="dinesh bagavath" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1037453578401505281/YBlF6ggk_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Hi guy's I am from Munnar located in kerala. Government of kerala have launched a app for selling alcohol Tried it… https://t.co/swIzqiF23S" createdat="1590853259000" id="1266756498371182593"></div> Even if a user concedes to booking between the available timeslot the app shoots back saying, ‘token not available’. One of the lucky few who was able to book a time slot said, “When booked you get a far away outlet. Instead of using the nearest location, the app is using the nearest pin code.” <div type="twitter" handle="TKuttappi" handlename="Dr.Thavalappi (MBBS,MD)" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1253334077421191168/oMb8uWPc_normal.jpg" favoritecount="22" retweetcount="0" status="Is there anyone here on twitter who has got an OTP from the BevQ app ? If yes, please take a Sikkim lottery and M… https://t.co/jhUDJAiYz4" createdat="1590851984000" id="1266751154349846529"></div> The app is built by a Kochi-based startup called Faircode Technologies Limited, which claims to have <a href="https://www.faircodetech.com/">256 clients</a> on its site. Yet, three days into the launch of the app many of the issues remain unresolved. Users on Twitter and Facebook have been trolling the apps for its false promises. The spokesperson for the company has said that they’re working on resolving the issues with some external help. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coranavirus-cases-in-kerala-news-and-updates/articleshow/74775194.cms">Coronavirus cases in Kerala news and updates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-dies-of-covid-19-in-kerala-toll-rises-to-ten-61-new-cases-reported/articleshow/76124098.cms">Woman dies of COVID-19 in Kerala, toll rises to ten; 61 new cases reported</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/remove-china-apps-races-to-1-million-downloads-within-two-weeks-as-anti-china-sentiment-gains-momentum/articleshow/76128369.cms">‘Remove China Apps’ races to 1 million downloads within two weeks as anti-China sentiment gains momentum</a>

BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

<keyword id="6357416" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="thiruvananthapuram">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword>, <keyword id="49990" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="tipplers">Tipplers</keyword> in <keyword id="28504" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword> will have reason to rejoice as they can return to their <keyword id="10474061" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="favourite-drinking-places">favourite drinking places</keyword> on Tuesday, with the <keyword id="51011" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-government">state government</keyword> clearing <keyword id="4335541" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-excise-department">the Excise Department</keyword>'s <keyword id="6374727" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="proposal">proposal</keyword> to reopen <keyword id="6355410" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="BARS">bars</keyword> and other places. According to an order from the Chief Secretary on Monday night, clubs, beer and wine parlours, and toddy shops have also been allowed to to open, while state-run KSBC's retail outlets will be open until 9 p.m. At present there are more than 500 bars in the state in the private sector, but they have been closed down since the last week of March in view of the coronavirus pandemic. An earlier bid to open the bars in September proved abortive after there was a spike in Covid cases. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-say-if-you-should-subscribe-or-not-to-the-300-crore-ipo-of-antony-waste-handling-cell/articleshow/79790998.cms">Antony Waste Handling Cell ₹300-crore IPO opens today — these are the risks and opportunities</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/the-founder-of-sugar-cosmetics-explains-how-the-startup-clocked-a-60-growth-in-sales-during-the-pandemic/articleshow/79832966.cms">The founder of SUGAR cosmetics explains how the startup clocked a 60% growth in sales during the pandemic</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/pine-labs-valuation-crosses-2-billion-as-it-raises-fresh-funds-from-lone-pine-capital/articleshow/79833738.cms">Pine Labs' valuation crosses $2 billion as it raises fresh funds from Lone Pine Capital</a>

Kerala allows bars, liquor and toddy shops to reopen after nine months

<ul><li>Kerala is discouraging public gatherings but is yet to shut down its liquor shops.</li><li>People waiting in queues outside these state-run establishments are being directed to stand at least a meter apart by the local authorities.</li><li>One man who tried to petition the Kerala High Court for home delivery of alcohol was fined ₹50,000.</li></ul>Coronavirus may be on the prowl but Kerala isn’t shutting down its liquor shops — and demand doesn’t seem to be shrinking either. The one thing that has changed is social distancing. People standing in queues outside state-run establishments are maintaining a distance of a few feet between them to reduce the chance of an infection. A few videos also surfaced of guards asking people to maintain at least a meter of space between them. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[
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 However, some reports suggest that the videos of social distancing at liquor stores is only optics. Reporters with <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/covid-19-videos-social-distancing-kerala-liquor-shops-just-optics-120723">TNM</a> saw a very different picture on the ground. One brave soul petitioned the Kerala High Court to make way for the home delivery of alcohol. Instead, he was slapped with a ₹50,000 fine as per <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/online-liquor-delivery-to-home-154132">LiveLaw</a>’s report. The case for home delivery of alcohol The petitioner argued that since alcohol shops were crowded during peak hours, it’s not safe for him to go out and actually buy what he needed. Instead, he suggested alternative ways in which delivery would be feasible during the Coronavirus outbreak. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala3_edited" msid="74732924" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Liquor bottles being arranged at the renovated BEVCO outlet on the power house&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 However, Judge Nambiar was not amused. “It is with a deep sense of exasperation and a tinge of disgust that I write this judgment,” he said. “The petitioner's conduct in filing this frivolous petition at a time like this, while making a mockery of the salutary concept of access to justice — which this institution strives to guarantee — also ridiculous the functioning of this noble institution,” he added before instructing the petitioner to address the costs and send them to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. Liquor makes the government money Even though the state government has called for people to avoid leaving the house and restrict public gatherings — there is no plant to shut down liquor shops. Revenue from liquor sales in a major source of income for Kerala. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala4_edited" msid="74732939" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Staff unloading liquor bottles at a bar in Kozhikode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 During 2018-19, sales reached an all-time high of ₹14,508 crore, which means the government gets a cut of around ₹2,521 crore as excise duty. Sources at the Kerala State Beverages Corporation told the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/covid-19-keralas-liquor-shops-open-for-revenue-813994.html">Deccan Herald</a> that despite the emergency around Coronavirus, there hasn’t been much of a fall in liquor sales. Others within the government feel that the shutting down of liquor shops may trigger alcoholics to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the name of stocking up before stores shut down. This could lead to a more dangerous situation, sources told <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/coronavirus-scare-social-distancing-for-keralas-tipplers/articleshow/74731096.cms">ET</a>. To ensure that necessarily precautions are taken, local authorities have posted additional guards at every Indian-made foreign liquor outlet to enforce social distancing. The police have distributed masks, gloves and hand sanitizers for the staff at these shops. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[
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 See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/while-pm-modi-called-for-a-janata-curfew-the-kerala-government-implemented-some-serious-steps/articleshow/74717250.cms">While PM Modi called for a 'janata curfew', the Kerala government implemented some serious steps</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-updates-in-india-and-steps-taken-by-narendra-modi-government/articleshow/74723667.cms">A look at Indian government response to coronavirus, so far, shows some quick reactions but not enough foresight</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/stages-of-coronavirus-and-how-they-determine-the-status-of-a-country/articleshow/74728639.cms">Stages of Coronavirus and how they determine the status of a country</a>

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

(Eds: Collating stories, adding inputs) Kolkata, May 5 () The resumption of economic activity on the first day of the lockdown relaxations evoked tepid response across West Bengal on Tuesday, even as chaos continued to prevail outside liquor shops where tipplers threw social distancing norms to the wind. The first train carrying over 1,100 stranded labourers and pilgrims from Rajasthan arrived at the Dankuni railway station in Hooghly district. They were subjected to thorough medical check-up and then sent back to their homes, where they will remain in home quarantine for the next 14 days. A handful of standalone shops, which sell non-essential items, reopened on Tuesday -- after a gap of 42 days -- only in few green zones despite the state government announcing a host of relaxations on Monday to perk up the economy. Such outlets and business establishments remained shut in the red and orange zones, and the containment areas. All shops, barring the ones selling essential items, in the state have been closed since March 25, when the nationwide lockdown was imposed to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic. Serpentine queues were seen outside standalone liquor shops, with the either police or local administration on toes to ensure that boozers maintain social distancing. Chaotic scenes were witnessed outside various alcohol shops as tipplers giving thumbs down to social distancing. In some parts of the state, police had to either use force or close down liquor vends for an hour to control the huge crowd gathered outside the outlets since morning. The reopening of liquor shops, however, boosted the state's dwindling coffer, with a record sale of liquor. An astounding Rs 40-crore liquor sale was recorded on the first day of reopening of the standalone shops on Monday, said Sushmita Mukherjee, assistant secretary of the West Bengal Foreign Liquor-CS On and Off Shops and Hotel Owners Association. "Seventy per cent of the state's liquor shops located in red, orange and green zones reopened yesterday," Mukherjee said. The remaining 30 per cent shops are in containment zones. The sales of Tuesday are expected to be higher than Monday as the shops functioned for the entire seven-hour period from noon to 7 pm, she said. The government's proposal to permit private buses to ply intra-district in green zones with not more than 20 passengers did not find resonance among the operators, who cited the offer as "economically unfeasible". However, autos and rickshaws were seen running in various parts of the state. Bus Minibus Coordination Committee general secretary Rahul Chatterjee had said it was not at all viable to run buses with only 20 passengers since the amount earned from ticket sale would not be enough for meeting fuel expenses. A few shops reopened in green zones across the districts after the state government allowed the standalone shops in all the zones, barring the containment areas, to remain open from 10 am-6 pm. "There is panic among traders as the number of COVID-19 cases is rising with each passing day," Confederation of West Bengal Trade Unions president Sushil Poddar said. "In most parts of the city and the state, shopkeepers preferred not to open their shops, both due to anxiety and low level of business," Poddar said. "In green zones, a few shops have opened, but most of the traders are waiting for public transportation services to resume." The traders' body, which has a membership base of 10 lakh across the state, has issued an advisory to its members about how to stay safe and sanitise their outlets. Four districts, including Kolkata and Howrah, fall in the red zone in Bengal, while 11 have been classified in the orange and eight in the green zones. A train carrying 1,186 passengers arrived at Dankuni station from Ajmer in Rajasthan on Monday morning. Another train from Kerala, which left Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, is scheduled to reach Baharampur in Murshidabad district on Wednesday, sources added. Meanwhile, instances of violence over relief and ration distribution were reported from various parts of the state, including North 24 Parganas and West Midnapore district. The West Bengal Police on Tuesday said over 40,000 people had been arrested from different parts of the state for defying lockdown norms since its beginning on March 25. BSM/AMR/DC/SCH/SUS PNT SNSHMB

Lockdown relaxations evoke tepid response in Bengal; liquor shops see huge crowd

Thiruvananthapuram, Even as Kerala has so far reported 91 coronavirus positive cases and over 63,000 persons under medical observation, the Kerala government's state-wide lockdown on Tuesday failed to keep many residents indoors. A senior Minister warned of strict action in case such people refused to obey government orders. In the morning hours, scores of people were out on the roads, forcing police to act tough with them. At Kollam, people were seen visiting religious places while the lockdown was not taken seriously by residents of Thrissur, where maximum number of people under observation reside. Even in Alappuzha -- which is yet to report any positive case, life appeared almost normal, with numerous vehicles plying on the roads. State Local Bodies Minister A.C. Moideen, who hails from Thrissur, said that for some reason, the government directives appear not to have sunk in in public mind. "I spoke to the district authorities. The need of the hour is self-restraint. W are sure that soon people will realise the need to remain indoors," said Moideen. A peeved Devasoms Minister <keyword id="916683" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kadakampally-Surendran">Kadakampally Surendran</keyword> expressed displeasure over the people's act of venturing out. "I'm at a loss to find this out and do not know why people do not understand the need to remain indoors as the coming two weeks will be very crucial for the state. If this continues, then we will have no other option but to act tough against those who break the law," said Surendran, a resident of the state capital. Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty, who is overseeing Kollam district, said that the general idea was that Kasargode should observe a total shutdown. "In other districts, the idea was to regulate normal life as we just cannot afford a total shutdown. Our state has a large informal sector, where people have to work daily to meet their needs. At Kollam, we don't have any positive case and we are cautious to keep it this way," said Mercykutty. On Monday, Chief Minister <keyword id="6356705" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="pinarayi-vijayan">Pinarayi Vijayan</keyword> announced a state-wide lockdown till March 31, except shops selling essential items, fuel stations, banks, and state-owned retail liquor outlets. On Tuesday morning, angry BJP activists protested against the opening of a liquor outlet at Palakkad. Meanwhile, Vijayan is expected to come up with stricter norms to enforce the lockdown in the coastal state. --IANS sg/tsb

Lockdown fails in Kerala to keep people indoor

<ul><li>the Kerala government on Saturday issued an all-around alert in Kerala, as the total positive cases continue to be pegged at 19</li><li>As many as seven cases in Pathanamthitta, 4 in Kottayam, 3 each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, one each in Thrissur and Kannur.</li><li> Across the 14 district headquarters a high level meeting presided by a state Cabinet Minister took place which took stock of things and the general guidelines that have gone is time is not yet come to relax and a high alert and awareness have to be maintained. </li></ul>Though no fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported since Friday evening, the Kerala government on Saturday issued an all-around alert in Kerala, as the total positive cases continue to be pegged at 19, as authorities expect a few more might turn positive in the coming days. As on Saturday afternoon, the following districts have <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> positive patients. As many as seven cases in Pathanamthitta, 4 in Kottayam, 3 each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, one each in Thrissur and Kannur. According to the health authorities, there are 6,000 people under observation in the state, of which 300 are in various hospitals. On Saturday, across the 14 district headquarters a high level meeting presided by a state Cabinet Minister took place which took stock of things and the general guidelines that have gone is time is not yet come to relax and a high alert and awareness have to be maintained. In the state capital, where on Friday three fresh positive cases were announced, the general advisory that has come is it's time that malls, beaches meeting places should be avoided. The state-owned indoor stadium has been closed. An Italian tourist who was stationed at Varkala for the past two weeks, about 40 kms from here after testing positive has been moved to the Medical College hospital and the beach destination is more or less deserted. The resort where he was staying for the past two weeks has been closed. " Nine people who might have had direct contacts with the Italian have been quarantined. We have also traced the route map of the other two who turned positive. Things are in control but more caution has to be there,a said district collector K.Gopalakrishnan. At Alappuzha two UK citizens who arrived from London and were under observation slipped out of the hospital, last night and very soon following an alert send out by the authorities, they were found out by the authorities at the Kochi airport and put them back under observation. At Pathanamthitta, where the maximum positive cases have been registered, 12 suspects results that came turned negative. It came as a big relief as, it was from here, when three who returned from Italy on February 29th , started the second round of coronavirus scare in the state. " We have got 12 results today and all are negative. Even though this is a big relief, time is yet not come for us to relax," said district collector P.B.Nooh. At Kochi, on Saturday a flight arrived which had 21 passengers from Italy were found hale and hearty and all of them have been asked to remain confined to their homes for two weeks. " 58 people are under observation," said District Collector S.Suhas. At Thrissur, where the highest number of people are under observation (1571) State LSG Minister A.C.Moideen who led the meeting of officials said the good news is that 58 test reports that came today is negative and said things are well under control. However the police found out a passenger on a luxury bus who came from Qatar to Bangalore and then took a bus to Thrissur. He has now been send for observation. At Kottayam where four positive patients are under treatment is stable while 15 are in quarantine and 26 results are awaited. At Kannur the meeting was led by State Industries Minister E.P.Jayarajan and said the need of the hour is there need be no panic or fear as we are confident of able to keep things under check. Meanwhile the general advisory also came on Saturday that as a matter of abundant caution all those who arrive from abroad should remain in isolation for 28 days. And for the tipplers, there was a good news that while there has been decision to close down theatres, stadiums and to avoid large meetings, the excise department has decided they will not close down retail outlets that sell liquor and beer.

COVID-19: Kerala put on alert as 6,000 people under observation

(Eds: adding details)Bengaluru, May 18 () Easing restrictions further asthe COVID-19 induced lockdown entered the fourth phase, theKarnataka government on Monday allowed public transportservices to operate from May 19, except in containment zones.Following the recent spike in coronavirus infections, thegovernment said it has decided to allow people from stateslike Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu entry intoKarnataka in a staggered manner, while special cases will beallowed on request.With the lockdown 4.0, the government also decided to doaway with colour coding of districts into red, orange andgreen zones and instead, focus on containment for monitoring.On April 23, the Karnataka government partially relaxedCOVID-19 lockdown norms in the state, allowing IT and IT-enabled services to operate with essential minimum staff andalso certain construction activities, manufacturing ofpackaging materials, courier services, among others. In earlier relaxations, the government had allowed certainindustries to operate, besides opening of liquor outlets andsome standalone shops.Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday convened ameeting with Ministers and senior officers on permittingvarious activities in the fourth phase of the lockdown in thestate, as per guidelines issued by the Government of India.Detailed discussions were held about holding economicactivities, people arriving from other countries and states,their quarantining, restarting public transport and the lawand order situation, along with containing COVID-19."Lockdown will continue till May 31.In containment zones,there will be strict restrictions. If anyone violates the law,we will book criminal cases against them," Yediyurappa said.Speaking to reporters,he said for the benefit of movementof people, all four state transport corporations (BMTC, KSRTC,NEKRTC and NWKRTC) have been allowed to operate, except incontainment zones, from Tuesday morning.Private buses have also been permitted to ply, he said,adding that only 30 people would be allowed to travel in a buswith mandatory wearing of masks and maintaining physicaldistancing.Amid apprehensions about bus fare hike due to lossesfaced by these transport corporations, the government has madeit clear that the fares would not be increased and it wouldbear the losses.Inter-state transport of people would not be allowed,except in emergency cases, the Chief Minister said."We have decided not to allow people from Gujarat,Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu till May 31, but allowed instages (staggered manner)," he said.According to sources, the decision follows the recentarrival of a large number of people from these states,especially Maharashtra and Gujarat, and them testing positivein quarantine, leading to a spike in the number of infectionsin the state.Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai too said, "we are wary ofpeople entering the state from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu andGujarat... looking at these people adding to the tally inKarnataka."Autorickshaws and taxis were also given the green signalto ply, but only with three passengers, including the driver.In maxi-cabs, the maximum number should be fourpassengers, including the driver.Trains can operate within the state, but there will be nointer-state services till May 31.Saloons can also function. Parks have been allowed to be open from 7 am to 9 am andfrom 5 pm to 7 pm, Yediyurappa said.Except shopping malls, cinema halls and hotels, all shopscan open, he said, adding that in hotels, parcels can be givenas takeaways for the benefit of customers.The Chief Minister said night curfew would continue from7 pm to 7 am and that "there will be a complete lockdown onSundays".To a question on classification of zones, Yediyurappasaid the government's main focus was containment zones.He said the government will review the relaxation basedon how things pan out in the days to come."States have been given the freedom, so we can withdrawor modify as necessary," he said.According to top official sources,the government is doingaway with the colour coding of districts and instead willfocus on containment zones, which will be closely monitored.Extending the lockdown with a new set of guidelines tillMay 31, the Centre on Sunday had given states and unionterritories powers for delineation of Red, Green and OrangeZones as per COVID-19 situation.The nationwide lockdown was initially imposed from March25 to April 14, then extended to May 3 and again to May 17 toprevent the spread of the coronavirus. KSU APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH

Karnataka eases lockdown norms; allows buses, autos, cabs to start from Tuesday

Thiruvananthapuram, June 11 () Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday appreciated the religious leaders who have decided not to open the places of worship considering the COVID-19 situation in the state and said it was the best decision to be taken in this scenario. Vijayan was responding to a question with regardto closure of Sabarimala temple after it was decided to open it from June 8 and to conduct the festival from June 19. He said those who are rejoicing now saying the government decided to close the temple needs to understand that the state government was following the centre's directions. "A central minister questioned the state government and asked why we were opening the liquor outlets while keeping the religious places closed. We were just following the centre's guidelines in this matter," Vijayan said. He said on May 30, the centre issued an order saying certain activities can be allowed from June 8. "The centre said religious places and places of worship for the public can be opened. Later a detailed guideline was issued on how to open such places. We just followed that. But, just imagine, if the state government had decided not to open the places of worship despite the centre's guidelines, then, what would have been the situation? I feel that they were expecting that," Vijayan said. He said the state government has discussed the matter with all the stakeholders in this matter and agreed to open the places of worship following protocol. "Now, most of theplaces of worship had decided not to open. We do not have any kind of opposition in that matter. That was the best decision to be taken considering today's scenario.I appreciate them for that matter," Vijayan said. State Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran had earlier in the day informed that devotees will not be allowed to offer prayers at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, when it opens for the monthly pujas from June 14. The shrine has been out of bounds for the worshippers since March 24, due to the coronavirus induced lockdown. The 10-day temple festival from June 19 has been postponed for the second time. It was to have been held in March this year, but had been deferred due to the coronavirus situation. The government's volte face came a day after temple thantri shot off a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) against allowing devotees in the shrine as the positive cases in the state was on the rise. Devotees from southern states also visit the hill shrine in large numbers. Union minister, V Muraleedharan had earlier attacked the state government after it allowed re-opening of temples from June 9, saying it was a "hasty decision". The decision not to allow devotees to the hill shrine when it opens on June 14 for the monthly poojas was taken at a meeting called by Surendran in which Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, N Vasu and temple priest Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu participated. The government had earlier decided to allow devotees from June 14, when it opens for the monthly puja and the 10-day festival from June 19. Earlier, Surendran said the TDB had sought the opinion of the Thanthris of Sabarimala and declared that they have agreed to the opening of the shrine. Various temples under the TDB opened on Tuesday along with some churches and mosques in various parts of the state. While the famed Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayoor opened its doors by following the various norms laid down by the government, the Padmanabha Swamy and Attukal temples in the state capital were among those which remained shut. RRT BN WELCOME BN WELCOME

You Searched For "Kerala liquor outlets" and got 11 results

State-run liquor outlets in Kerala have more than 50 percent female sales staff

BI India Bureau

Bars in Kerala may re-open soon, excise department seeks permission from CM

IANS

Liquor outlets remain shut in Kerala on Day-1 of Lockdown-3

PTI

BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

Prabhjote Gill

Kerala allows bars, liquor and toddy shops to reopen after nine months

IANS

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

Prabhjote Gill

Lockdown relaxations evoke tepid response in Bengal; liquor shops see huge crowd

PTI

Lockdown fails in Kerala to keep people indoor

IANS

COVID-19: Kerala put on alert as 6,000 people under observation

IANS

Karnataka eases lockdown norms; allows buses, autos, cabs to start from Tuesday

PTI

CM appreciates religious leaders decision not to open places of worship due to COVID-19 situation

PTI