Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Justin D'Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (AM)

Mangaluru/Udupi, May 4: The twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Monday, May 4, witnessed many people queuing up at wine shops to purchase alcohol bottles after the state government allowed liquor stores to open in the state. The shops were shut as part of the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In some places in the districts, people had reportedly began queuing up in the night itself.

Many thronged liquor outlets since Monday morning as wine shops in the city opened after being closed for over a month. On Saturday, the state excise department issued an order allowing wine shops to remain open from May 4 between 9 am and 7 pm.

Mangaluru

Udupi

The order also urged the staff members of the wine shops to ensure social distancing between customers and to strictly follow directives issued by the authorities. The order also urged wine shops to provide hand sanitisers to customers and staff while handling the bottles and cash.