Following relaxation of SOPs by the State government, the Excise department has issued guidelines for opening of bar & restaurants and taverns making thermal screening compulsory at entry and exit points while wearing masks will be compulsory for being served liquor.
The order issued by Excise commissioner Shashank Tripathi says, “As per Order and guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs. Government of India, sale of liquor for consumption on the premises of Bars, Restaurants and Taverns has been removed from the list of restricted activities by the Government. Therefore all valid licence holders whose licences are not otherwise suspended and are already renewed for this financial year are hereby permitted to commence the sale of liquor for consumption on the premises with effect from 01/09/2020. except in Containment Zones and other prohibited areas as declared by the Authorities.”
Further, he adds, the permission has been granted subject to the following conditions:
- Social distancing norms to be followed as specified in the Order and guidelines of MHA is all persons in charge of workplaces will ensure adequate distancing between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff etc.
- No liquor to be sold without mask/ appropriate face cover by the licensee and no liquor to be sold to the customer who is without mask/ appropriate face cover.
- Licensed premises to open and close at their usual permitted time.
- Licensees to ensure that the customers maintain minimum six feet distance from each other.
- Provision for sanitizer will be made available at the licenced premises, frequent sanitization of entire premises, common facilities und all points which come into human contact he doors, handles, counters etc shall be assured.
- Use of Arogya Setu App shall be made mandatory for all employees.
- Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash or sanitizer will be made available at all entry points, exit points and common area. The guidelines prescribed by the MHA and all other relevant guidelines and directions given by MHA, Government of India and Government of Goa must be strictly adhered to.
Any violations will be strictly dealt with under the Goa Excise Duty Act & Rules, 1964.