Coronavirus scare: Madras HC seeks Tamil Nadu govt's response on plea seeking closure of Tasmac liquor shops

TNN | Mar 16, 2020, 11.54 AM IST

CHENNAI: A lawyer has approached the Madras high court seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government for closure of Tasmac liquor shops till coronavirus outbreak is contained.

Since most of the liquor vending shops and bars attached to them are located in crowded areas, the unhygienic atmosphere in such bars is likely to trigger the outbreak of coronavirus, advocate AP Suryaprakasam said urging for immediate need to close these shops.

Admitting the plea, a division bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy directed the state government to file its response within a week.

In his petition, the advocate also urged the court to direct the Chennai Metro Water, Sewerage Supply Board and the Chennai Corporation to ensure supply of water for at least three hours daily so that Chennai residents could maintain cleanliness as advised by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The lawyer further submitted that the corporation must ensure adequate supply of hand sanitisers to all the schools in the city