panaji retail and wholesale liquor outlets in the state will commence sale of packaged bottles from monday their opening is however subject to certain conditions like following of social distancing norms and compulsory wearing of masks by both the seller and buyer as per an order issued by excise commissioner amit satija on sundaythe order allowing reopening of liquor outlets is not applicable to licences in prohibited areas and for licences that have been suspendedin a separate order the excise department has permitted distilleries breweries wineries and country liquor bottling units to commence manufacturing and sales activitiesall liquor outlets and manufacturing units will have to close earlier than usual by 6pm liquor licenced premises to open at their usual permitted time and must close by 6pm to enable employer and employees to reach home by 7pm the order stated normally closure time for retails units is at 9pm extendable by two hours on prior permission from the excise department the order specifically made clear that under no circumstances bars and taverns will be allowed to open any violation of the order will be dealt with strictly the excise commissioner saidretail shops have been directed to ensure that customers maintain a minimum distance of six feet from each other and that not more than five persons are present in the queue at a time they have to also provide hand sanitisers use of the arogya setu app has been made mandatory for all liquor shop employees