Curbs on liquor from today

Curbs on liquor from today

A new law which restricts drinking in public places comes into effect today.

Under the law, the retail sale of alcohol and drinking in public places will not be allowed from 10.30pm to 7am every day.

There will also be a ban on public drinking in Geylang and Little India during weekends and public holidays, under the new Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said yesterday.

The law, which was passed in Parliament in January, aims to curb public drinking to minimise disorder.

The ban will be in force from 7am on Saturdays to 7am on Mondays and from 7pm on the eve of public holidays to 7am on the day after the holiday.

Shops in Geylang and Little India are also not allowed to sell takeaway alcohol from 7pm on weekends, the eve of public holidays, and public holidays instead of from 10.30pm.

MHA said members of the public can continue to drink if they have a valid permit issued by the National Parks Board to organise a barbecue in a national park.

Organisers of events in public places may apply for a permit from the police if the events involve drinking during the restricted hours.

Under the Act, those found guilty of drinking after 10.30pm in a public place will face a fine of up to $1,000. A repeat offender may be jailed for up to three months.

A shop that sells alcohol after permitted hours can be fined up to $10,000.

Geylang and Little India are designated as Liquor Control Zones. Flouting the rules in these zones will carry 1.5 times the penalty.

But MHA stressed that the police will take a "calibrated and even-handed" approach in enforcing the law.


This article was first published on April 1, 2015.
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