A bill that would ban the consumption of alcohol in vehicles has passed in the Senate. The bill was submitted by senator Santiago Jose Zorilla (PRM-El Seibo) and passed on Tuesday, 21 September 2021 in the Senate. The bill seeks to regulate the sale, supply and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
The bill establishes many conditions that will be difficult to apply and others that could serve as loopholes.
The bill establishes that businesses that sell alcoholic beverages cannot be less than 100 meters from hospitals, schools, churches, parks and other places identified as “sensitive places.”
The bill also establishes that alcohol selling businesses must be located in places that do not obstruct public roads and at a distance of 150 meters from each other.
According to the bill, closed bottles can be transported in the trunk of a vehicle. The bill also allows for open liquor bottles to be carried in the trunk of the vehicle.
The bill bans the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons transported in vehicles. Those found with alcoholic beverages face fines of five to 10 public sector minimum wages.
Motorcyclists are banned from transporting alcoholic beverages, even if unopened.
The bill also would instill a license for businesses to sell alcohol. The Control of Alcoholic Beverages Agency (Digecoba) would issue the permits. Digecoba is a dependency of the Ministry of Interior & Police.
The bill also limits the hours of sale of beverages from 6am to 12 midnight from Sunday to Thursday and Fridays and Saturdays from 6am to 2am, except for hotels, which will not be restricted.
Businesses that incur in violation of these provisions may be fined with cash payment or closure of the premises depending on the seriousness of the infraction.
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23 September 2021