TASMAC: Govt Not To Open Shops in Chennai on May 7, While Other TN Districts To Start Sales Following Norms!

A day after the Tamil Nadu government released a statement on opening of TASMAC shops in the state, they have taken back the order regarding the sales of liquor in Chennai. 

Keeping in mind, the sharp rise of 527 new positive COVID-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, the state government has taken up this decision. 

Yesterday, the Tamil Nadu government released a statement stating that the TASMAC shops will open in non-containment areas across the state from May 7. The shops will function from 10:00 am and 5:00 pm; while the bars will not be allowed. 

This order comes into after after certain liquor shops in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were opened on Monday (May 4). 

Yesterday, the Tamil Nadu government made this announcement through an official release, "Since neighbouring states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have already ordered functioning of liquor shops, a large number of people living in the border areas are going to the liquor shops in the neighbouring states. A lot of difficulty is being faced in controlling the movement of such people. Considering this, Tamil Nadu government has decided to open the TASMAC shops from May 7."

The TASMAC shops will open with certain restrictions due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic which is still haunting the country. The shops were closed as part of the nationwide lockdown which was announced by the central government on March 24.

The liquor shops in non-containment zones will function with rules like;

- Gathering of a large number of people at the shops should not be allowed 

- six feet distance should be maintained between the persons on queue

- not more than five persons should be allowed to gather at a time 

- necessary security arrangements should be made at all the shops.