The National Emergency Commission (CNE) announced yesterday that it is prohibiting the installation of tents and vending stalls for the sale of fireworks. These points of sale have cropped up all around the city, primarily in upscale neighborhoods. Likewise, fireworks are being set off every evening in a fiesta season that has started early. The vending outlets are primarily staffed by young people who can be seen drinking and smoking while waiting for clients.
Jose Luis German, the CNE spokesman, said that detonation of the fireworks is only permitted on the evenings of Christmas Eve (24 December), New Year’s Eve (31 December) and Three Kings Day (6 January). German said they are applying the measure following an order issued by the Santo Domingo mayor’s office.