THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Beverage outlets across the State will not open today. The decision came after the Centre declared total lockdown countrywide on Tuesday midnight for the next 21 days. The cabinet in coming days will assess the situation before deciding on period of ban.
Post the lockdown, Excise Minister directed BEVCO MD Sparjan Kumar to stay the outlets shut on Wednesday. The directive was passed down to all mangers along the chain.
The Centre’s notification on total lockdown did not include beverages into its essential-commodities list. Given the situation, keeping the facility opened could kick up controversy and amount to violation. Earlier on Sunday, no outlets were open with Janata Curfew declared in the State.
