No Alcohol During Holy Days
Unlike the national elections last month
when the "Ley Seca" (ban on alcohol) was
suspended for the first time, this Holy
Thursday (April 1) and Good Friday (April
2), the ban will be in place.
What that means is that beginning after
midnight on Wednesday and the early hours of
Saturday morning there is suspension of all
sales of alcohol at supermarkets, bars &
restaurants and liquor stores.
Erick Lacayo, the director of the Fuerza
Pública (police), confirmed that his force
will be helping out the 81 municipalities
around the country to shut down all liquor
and beer sales.
The Ley Seca takes effect at 12:01am on
Thursday and midnight on Friday.
Supermarkets, bars, restaurants, liquor
store and any other retail or business that
sells alcohol during the ba is subject to a
heavy fine, possible loss of permit or
business license and a possible jail term.
The suspension during the elections of
February 7 came from the Tribunal Supremo de
Elecciones (TSE) - elections tribunal - that
has the right to do during an election
period.
But there are no elections during Semana
Santa and thus the relaxing of the Ley Seca
by the TSE does not apply.
What this means in reality that people stock
on beer, wine and liquor by Wednesday for
consumption during the Holy days.
Supermarkets, for instance, will have to
remove from their shelves all alcohol or in
a more common practice, cover it all up.
Bars and restaurants have to keep the liquor
cabinet and coolers under lock and key
during the two days. Liquor stores generally
go off on vacation.
Municipal officials, with the help of the
Fuerza Pública will be visiting all licensed
establishments around the midnight hour to
seal off all alcohol. Anyone breaking the
seal will be subject to criminal charges.
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