The Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala has decided to open the state-run liquor shops. Kerala will open up 301 liquor shops in the state.

However, dates of opening these liquor shops have not been declared yet. There are 301 liquor outlets in the state, including beverages and consumer-fed.

All 301 shops will be open together. The Kerala government has decided to take measures to avoid overcrowding at liquor shops that was seen in other states during the lockdown.

The state government has decided to take bookings for liquor sales through web portals and deliver the alcohol at the outlets.

The Kerala government will also allow bars in hotels to open parcel counters to sell their liquor stocks. The bars and hotels will be allowed to sell liquor at MRP rates only.

Kerala government has also planned to hike liquor prices in the state by 10-35% to meet the challenges in the fight against coronavirus.

Liquor shops across states were allowed to be opened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as the country entered the third phase of lockdown. The new rules became applicable since May 4.

While some states like Delhi opened up liquor shops immediately, many states took a delayed approach in opening the liquor shops as they invited massive crowds.