The hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages in nightlife centers were made more flexible by the competent authorities, who added two hours from Thursday to Sunday and one hour on Fridays and Saturdays.
During a press conference, the ministers of Interior and Police, Jesús Vásquez, and of Tourism, David Collado, informed that the new schedule for bars, restaurants, discotheques, clubs, event centers, piano bars and casinos, will be from Sundays to Thursdays until two o’clock in the morning of the following day, and on Fridays and Saturdays, until three o’clock in the morning.
In the case of colmados, colmadones, cafeterias, car washes, mechanic parks, water parks and liquor stores, they will continue until 12:00 midnight.
The referred provision, which will go beyond Holy Week, when the sale of alcoholic beverages and Good Friday parties are prohibited, does not apply to hotels that offer all-inclusive services.
Resolution 001-2022 establishes that the violation of this measure may result in the temporary or definitive closing of the establishment, as well as the cancellation of the corresponding licenses or permits.
Minister Collado affirmed that all this is the result of extensive consultation days with all the actors and organizations that have an impact on the sector. “We know that these businesses are in the hands of entrepreneurs who have loans and pay payroll and service,” he said.
In addition, the official urged business owners to comply with this provision.
He also explained that, through the National Directorate for the Control of Alcoholic Beverages (COBA), they will ensure that this resolution is faithfully complied with.
The press conference was attended by the Vice Minister of Internal Security, Jesús Féliz; the directors of the Tourist Police, General Minoru Matsunaga, and of COBA, José Payano; representatives of the bars and restaurants of the Colonial City, associations of Santiago, members of the Association of Bars and Restaurants of Bávaro Punta Cana, among other owners of beverage businesses as well as discotheques.
They will be attentive during Holy Week
Regarding the Holy Week holiday, the Minister of Interior and Police, Jesús Vásquez, informed that COBA personnel will be on the beaches and resorts to avoid violations of the regulations, especially the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. He also called on the population to act prudently during the Semana Mayor holiday to avoid human losses. He said that it is a time for reflection with the family and to act with restraint.
