TN can sell liquor online only

Alcohol can be sold online in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court said, ordering the state government to shut down liquor shops because of huge crowds that challenged social distancing protocols and other precautions against coronavirus. Hundreds of people in serpentine queues, which extended over a km in many areas, were seen at liquor stores across the state. Liquor worth £17 million was sold in a day. Social media was abuzz with visuals showing consumers being sold more than the permitted number of liquor bottles. There were also tell-tale signs of no checking of Aadhaar cards, violating almost all conditions put forth by the court earlier. The Madras HC had issued guidelines for the sale of liquor from standalone shops, and ordered a six-feet gap between buyers. It also capped the amount of liquor a person can buy. Failure to comply with the guidelines would lead to closure of shops, the court had said.