Updated at 13:52,22-04-2024

Minsk authorities abolish ban on overnight alcohol sales on Lukashenka's order

Maryna NOSAVA, naviny.by

Minsk authorities abolish ban on overnight alcohol sales on Lukashenka's order
A one-year ban on overnight alcohol sales in Minsk was abolished on the order of Alyaksandr Lukashenka on October 2, one day after it was introduced.

The Minsk City Executive Committee announced last week that stores would be prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages and beer from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. between October 1, 2018 and October 1, 2019.

When reached by BelaPAN on Tuesday, the Minsk city government's press office confirmed that the ban had already been reversed on Mr. Lukashenka's order.

While announcing the measure, the Minsk authorities said that it was intended to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent alcohol abuse.

The interior ministry has repeatedly called for banning stores from selling alcoholic drinks at night, claiming that one in four crimes is committed by people in a state of alcohol intoxication and the share of murders and robberies committed by drunk people amounts to 70 to 80 percent.

In June 2015, the Minsk City Executive Committee introduced a ban on alcohol sales from 10 p.m. until 9 a.m. The ban was lifted two months later after it was discussed by Mr. Lukashenka and top government officials.