Santo Domingo.-The Ministry of the Interior and Police increased the schedule for the sale of alcoholic beverages in closed places by one hour due to the Christmas festivities starting next Sunday, December 15, until January 3, 2025.
Through resolution number MIP-RA-0008-2024, the institution reported that the relaxation will be from Sunday to Thursday until 3:00 in the morning and Friday and Saturday until 4:00 in the morning of the next day, in nightclubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, event centers, piano bars and casinos.
Likewise, the measure does not include grocery stores, grocery stores, cafeterias, car washes, mechanical parks, water parks and liquor stores, which will continue to operate at their usual hours until 12:00 midnight during the Christmas holidays and New Year.
Interior and Police also highlighted that for December 24 and 31 there will be no time limits for the sale of alcoholic beverages, a decision contained in article 1 of the resolution issued by the head of the entity, Faride Raful.
Likewise, he explained that in article 2 of said resolution it is noted that the extension of hours does not apply to grocery stores, grocery stores, cafeterias, car washes, mechanical parks, water parks and liquor stores, which will continue working every day until 12:00 midnight.
In that sense, it specified that the violation of this provision would result in the temporary or definitive closure of the establishment and the cancellation of the corresponding licenses or permits, without prejudice to any other sanction established in the laws or regulations.
Raful instructed the National Directorate of Control of the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages (COBA) to, with the support of the National Police, ensure faithful compliance with this resolution, and must promote the actions that are pertinent for such purposes in accordance with the laws.
The Ministry of the Interior and Police also added that the Directorate of Control of the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages will be rigorous in monitoring to verify compliance with the standard, in order to strengthen public policies that preserve citizen safety.
At the end of November the Minister of Interior and Police, Faride Raful, considered that it was not necessary to extend the hours of sale of alcoholic beverages during the festivities.
