SALES of liquor in the Western Province will be prohibited during weekends beginning this Friday, 17th of April, 2020.
This was revealed by the Provincial Disaster Committee as part of the province’s efforts to prevent and possibly stop the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement, the committee said that the prohibition will be for an indefinite period.
The weekend ban will see the sales of liquor cease as of 6pm Friday evenings and resumes at 6am Monday mornings.
The weekend ban was initiated to regulate social gatherings that would enhance the spread of the virus.
The weekend ban is applied across the board including bottle-shop outlets, hotels, restaurants and night clubs.
Speaking during a meeting on Sunday members of the provincial disaster committee and chairperson said that it is regrettable that the provincial government has to go down this road.
“However, this is crucial to tackling the deadly coronavirus that has ravaged world population since it was first detected,” the committee chairman said.
He added that though some of the actions may harm economic progress, let alone businesses, the health of the population is a number one priority.
The weekend liquor ban is enforced for Gizo, Ringgi, Noro, Munda and Seghe.
By TERENCE ZIRU
In Gizo
