Chennai: In a significant judgement, the Madras High Court on Friday said that only online sale or door delivery of liquor will be permitted during the period of lockdown and ordered the closure of all state-run liquor shops in Tamil Nadu.
The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, had observed that states should consider selling liquor by home delivery, without passing any order.
Also read: Lockdown 3.0: States Can Consider Home Delivery Of Liquor, Says SC
The nationwide lockdown, necessitated by the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, will be in place till May 17, unless there is another extension.
The Central government allowed several relaxations during Lockdown 3.0, among which was permission to open liquor shops in non-containment zones in the country, subject to all guidelines being followed.
Most states, including Tamil Nadu, allowed liquor shops to open earlier this week, but the police has been having a tough time everywhere in controlling the crowds who have been queuing up for hours to get their bottle of alcohol.
Also read: Rs 45 Crore Liquor Sale In Karnataka On First Day Of Reopening Of Alcohol Shops
Tamil Nadu recorded over 600 new coronavirus positive cases on Friday, including 399 in Chennai. A total of 5409 cases have been reported from the state till date, of which 1547 have recovered while 37 people have died.
