Online Sale of Liquor Being Mulled Over in Kerala

The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan is considering the option of online sale of liquor in the state. All liquor outlets in the country have been shut down after the nationwide lockdown to tackle the Coronavirus spread.

According to him, sudden unavailability of alcohol could lead to social problems. According to a news agency, the Chief Minister has also directed the state excise department to provide liquor in the state to those who have a prescription from doctor/s.

The move comes after seven people in the state of Kerala reportedly committed suicide out of depression over not being able to buy alcohol. In a bizarre incident, a 38-year-old man working in a barber shop in Kayamkulam, Kerala, expired after consuming shaving lotion after he didn’t get alcohol.  Many in the state showed acute withdrawal symptoms after alcohol sales were stopped in the state.

Kerala government has also asked the excise department to provide free treatment to those with withdrawal symptoms.