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We published this story below on Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Drinking time to 1am?
The Ministry of Interior and Police has caved in to pressure and announced that it would extend the official time limit for selling alcoholic drinks to 1am at selected restaurants and businesses in Santiago de los Caballeros and Santo Domingo, the country's two largest cities. The government has relaxed the measure already in tourist destinations. Minister Franklin Almeyda Rancier made the announcement on Friday. He said that the extension is not being applied nationwide, but at authorized centers. He said that anyone who would like an extension should apply at the Ministry of Interior and Police, and their businesses will be evaluated by the fire service and public health ministry officials to determine whether they qualify. Last year the government instituted time limits from Sunday to Thursday to midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays and holidays to 2am. The measure was welcomed by parents, but criticized from some quarters on the grounds that that the DR lived off tourism and people came here to party. The Police backed the curfews, saying that most gun fights occurred between people who were under the influence of alcohol.
And a follow up story on Tuesday, 09 October 2007
One more hour for drinking
Interior and Police Minister Franklyn Almeyda has announced that 300 establishments in Santo Domingo and Santiago have received permission to sell adult beverages for an hour more than is allotted under the nation's alcohol decree. These establishments are part of pilot program to study whether or not to change the alcohol decree or leave it as is. Last year a limit was set that banned alcohol beverage sales after midnight from Sunday through Thursday, and to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and holidays.
The decision came after the ministry set new guidelines whereby establishments that meet strict requirements from the Ministry of Public Health, the Police, the Fire Department and the Ministry of Environment are authorized to stay open until 1am on weekdays. Colmados are still limited to the midnight curfew.
The minister also announced that the Barrio Seguro would be extended throughout the province of East Santo Domingo. Villa Duarte, Los Mameyes, Villa Faro, Los Tres Brazos, Los Minas, Cancino, El Tamarindo, Mendoza, San Luis, Los Frailes and Nuevo Amanecer are among the sectors receiving the enhanced security program.
