Shiv Sena told Liquor Not a Vaccine for Coronavirus, after Long Queues Outside Mumbai Wine Shops

The Shiv Sena on Thursday took a dim view of large crowds outside liquor shops in Mumbai earlier this week and said people should understand that liquor is "not a vaccine" for COVID-19.

It is "not worth buying 65,000 COVID-19 infection cases" for earning a revenue of Rs 65 crore through liquor sale, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said, noting that people defied physical distancing norms while gathering at wine shops.

After the Maharashtra government on Sunday declared opening of independent shops, including of alcohol, in COVID-19 non-control zones, long lines were seen outside shops on Monday and Tuesday. 

Mumbai community official gave a request on Tuesday late evening coordinating conclusion of all superfluous administrations, including alcohol shops, in the city. 

"Their (people's) delight of alcohol



shops being opened was brief. The organization needed to arrange conclusion of wine shops. In Mumbai alone, the income earned through alcohol deal in two days was Rs 65 crore. Be that as it may, on Tuesday, the city saw a solitary day spike of 635 new COVID-19 cases and about 30 passings," the Sena said. 

The "reaction" of opening alcohol shops was found in 24 hours, it said.

"For a revenue of Rs 65 crore, we cannot afford to buy (have) 65,000 coronavirus infection cases...people have to understand that liquor is not a vaccine for COVID-19," the Marathi publication said.

The administration and police had to bear the additional strain due to opening of liquor shops where physical distancing rules were not followed, it noted.

The Sena justified the government's decision to close the liquor shops and allow only groceries and medical shops to remain open.