13 Dec 2016

Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry has released liquor trading hours for the 2016 festive season.

According to a press release from the ministry, the general public and liquor traders are reminded that the official trading hours as stipulated in the second schedule of the Liquor Regulations, regulation 8(1) will prevail during the festive season (Christmas and New Year holidays).

Bars will open between 2pm and 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 12pm and 11pm on Friday and Saturday, 3pm and 10pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Bottle stores will open between 10am and 7pm on Monday to Saturday, but will not open on Sundays and public holidays.

The release further says wholesale liquor and distributor liquor license authorises the sale of liquor for consumption off the premises between 8am and 7pm on Monday to Saturday, but will not be open on Sunday and public holidays.

A discotheque/night club opens from 7pm and 12am from Monday to Thursday, 7pm and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm and 10pm on Sundays and public holidays.

A club has been authorised to sell from between 2pm and 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 12pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm and 10pm on public holidays and Sundays, whilst a liquor depot authorises the sale and consumption of traditional beer on the licensed premises between 2pm and 10pm from Monday to Thursday, 12pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 3pm and 10pm on Sundays and public holidays.

The statement says no liquor shall be served in restaurants except between 12pm and 230pm and 630pm and 1030pm on a daily basis whilst licensees are reminded that intoxicating liquor should be served only to bona-fide dinners in the restaurants for consumption on the premises.

Temporary liquor licenses for festivals and other public activities authorises one to sell liquor between 2pm and 12am on Mondays to Saturdays, whereas a temporary liquor license for a picnic permits the sale of liquor between 12pm to 7pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

The release says however a temporary liquor license for trade fairs allows the sale of liquor between 12pm to 6pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

The release advises all liquor business operators and managers to observe and comply with the conditions and provisions as stipulated in the Liquor Act and its regulations. ENDS