COVID-19 Lockdown: Wine shops to be open b/w 2-5:30 pm from Mar 29?

Bengaluru: An image of a order, seemingly issued by state excise department on March 28, stating that wine shops can conduct business from 2pm to 5:30 pm daily from March 29 onwards has been going viral on Whatsapp.

The news is likely to bring rejoice to owners of the wine shops as well as to tipplers who have been struggling with withdrawal symptoms following imposition of a nation-wide lockdown in view of novel coronavirus.

As per the circular, a constable will be deputed at wine shops to monitor if social distancing norms are being followed.

However is the circular that is going viral really issued by the state government. The answer is ‘NO’.

A closer look at the circular, shows that it does not bear the logo of Karnataka government. Moreover the letter is full of spelling mistakes. It is thus obvious that this so called order has not been issued by the state government.

Meanwhile the state continues to be under lockdown with as many as 76 coronavirus positive cases reported in the last update.