Despite some requests to break tradition and not extend the hours allowed for the sale of alcoholic beverages over the holidays that cover Christmas and New Year’s, Minister of the Interior and Police, Faride Raful, issued a press release that outlined the permitted hours for the sale of alcohol. The relaxation of drinking hours officially began on Sunday, 15 December 2024 and will continue until Friday, 3 January 2025. From Sunday through Thursday alcohol may be purchased until 3am. On Fridays and Saturdays, drinks will be sold until 4am of the following day. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve there are no restrictions at all.
Strangely enough, the very popular colmados (corner grocery stores), colmadones (slightly larger establishments with music), cafeterias, car wash establishments, carnivals, water parks, and liquor stores are not a part of these extended hours.
Different associations representing many of these businesses have voiced their displeasure at the discrimination in the order of who can sell beverages until late.
While the order to extend alcohol sales was set for Sunday, 15 December, several businesses began early, staying open until later hours as soon as the notice of the extended hour was published. Reports are that the authorities may relax police enforcement of noise and alcohol vending as they bend in to the profit-seeking interests of the businesses and the general “Christmas-spirit” that for many equates with an increase in alcohol drinking.
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Diario Libre
Hoy
16 December 2024