Swiggy, Zomato to start liquor deliveries during virus lockdown in India

India’s top two food-delivery startups, Swiggy and Zomato, will begin delivering alcohol in some cities starting from Thursday, as they cash in on the high demand for booze during the country’s coronavirus lockdown.

India was among the few countries to restrict liquor and tobacco sales as it announced one of the world’s strictest lockdowns in March. Hundreds of people started queuing up at liquor stores earlier this month when the country eased some restrictions, leading police to resort to baton-charges to disperse crowds in some cases.

The companies will roll out the service in select cities in the eastern state of Jharkhand, starting with its capital of Ranchi from Thursday, Swiggy and Zomato said in separate statements.