THE ongoing study being conducted by the Tourism Ministry to measure the impact of the 2am curfew has been expanded to include zoning, Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes said.

The establishment and operation of social infrastructure such as clubs and bars within residential areas have not only posed significant social and environmental threats to citizens, but are a clear breach of the country’s zoning laws.

The issue of zoning can no longer be ignored, Minister Hughes told the Guyana Chronicle, as she pointed out that it goes beyond noise pollution.
In June 2013, there was an incident which resulted in a Kitty resident being burnt with acid.

Mala Persaud of Lot 9 Station Street, Kitty sustained burns to her face, hands, chest and feet after being doused with acid.
Persaud, at the time of the attack, was convinced that it stemmed from complaints that were lodged against the owner of a popular establishment situated in Station Street, Kitty.

“We started off looking at the curfew, but then realised the issue of zoning and the issue of security had to be addressed,” the Tourism Minister said.
In a survey being conducted this week, the Tourism Ministry will attempt to ascertain the systems proprietors are willing to implement to prevent breaches of security laws and to simultaneously reduce noise pollution within residential areas.

In the end, the analytical report will measure the impact of the 2am curfew on the tourism sector, and simultaneously its effectiveness in the reduction of crime. It will also highlight other issues within the entertainment arena, including zoning.

The curfew was implemented by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to curb the serious problem of crime, particularly vehicular accidents which often result in the loss of lives.

In July, Minister Ramjattan, under whose purview the laws governing music and dance licences fall, announced the enforcement of the 2 am closing time for bars and clubs in Guyana.