As the government permitted the sale of liquor from 9 am to 7 pm after a gap of over 40 days, several people were found standing outside alcohol shops in northern India's Uttarakhand.

The incident took place in Nainital district's Haldwani city on May 4.

According to reports, hundreds of people ditched social distancing norms and queued up to buy liquor from the shops that opened in the city. Cops were seen patrolling the area, ensuring the maintenance of rules.

Shops have been asked to implement strict social distancing guidelines and ensure that there is at least two metres distance between two customers.

Officials allowed the sale of alcohol after 40 days while relaxing certain rules amid the countrywide lockdown, which will be in force till May 17.

The COVID-19 disease, termed a pandemic, has affected 42,533 people while killing at least 1,373 persons in India so far, as per official data.