Govt. issues new guidelines for all excise licencees

• Wine stores countrywide can only operate during permitted timelines 
• Tourist hotels, guesthouses can only serve liquor to in-house guests till 10 p.m.
• Foreign liquor stores, toddy taverns, pubs at hotels, cinemas, restaurants will be closed with immediate effect until further notice

The Excise Department yesterday issued health guidelines for all excise licencees in the country including bars, pubs and restaurants serving liquor, keeping in line with the recommendations issued by the Health Services Director General.

According to new guidelines issued by Excise Department Commissioner General, wine stores can only operate during the permitted timelines, whilst foreign liquor stores and toddy taverns will be closed with immediate effect until further notice. Tourist hotels and guesthouses can only serve liquor to their in-house guests till 10 p.m. However, pubs at hotels, cinemas, restaurants will be closed with immediate effect until further notice. 

These guidelines are applicable for the licensed establishments across the country.

The new guidelines are in accordance with the Notice No. 409/2021 issued by the Government Information Department Director General on 1 May and the guidelines on COVID-19 control issued by the Health Services Director General on the same day.