MINISTER of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, under whose purview the laws governing music and dance licences fall, has announced that enforcement of the 02:00hrs (2AM) closing time for bars and clubs in Guyana will not be applicable when local promoters host regional and international shows, at least not for now.Speaking with the media on Friday afternoon, Minister Ramjattan, when asked about the laxity on enforcement on the already existing law which has clearly gone without enforcement for decades, had this to say: “The regional and international shows will have its special permissions and the time period would be put on those shows too, but I don’t know necessarily if that will apply if there is a special show that can go until 4 am then fine, we will deal with that and that’s a show.”
The minister added that already the women’s rights groups which he met in relation to the enforcement of the 02:00hrs closing time are all in agreement with the move, while proprietors and proprietresses of several clubs and bars have been approaching him to review his position on the enforcement.
“I am getting a number of bars and restaurants already lobbying me and I will not in any way try to retract and renege on that; it is also a legal requirement under the licensing arrangement that they bring a halt to their activities at 02:00hrs in the morning,” Minister Ramjattan told the media.
He went on to address the issue of spending, stating that people who are in the habit of drinking at those hours in the morning after 02:00hrs are spending too much money that could have been spent more wisely.
On the social side, Ramjattan told reporters that the drinking practice has a direct relationship to domestic violence, while also stressing that it also contributes to the number of traffic offences. The minister added too that drinking so late into the morning also sees persons being unable to make it to work; and if they do make it to work they are unable to function properly on their jobs.
These developments, he stated, have a direct impact on the economy as it were, while reiterating that he wishes to see all clubs and nightspots close at 02:00hrs.

“I would want all of them, every single night, to close at 2AM,” Minister Ramjattan declared.

He is adamant that the law will be upheld and there will also be sanctions, suspensions or revocation of their licences if these laws are breached or violated. (Leroy Smith)