LCC, ZP close 9 bars for early opening
Written by Millennium on April 22, 2019
SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
A COMBINED team of Lusaka City Council (LCC) and State Police on Friday last week closed 9 bars for operating outside permitted hours.
LCC public relations manager George Sichimba said the team conducted an early morning operation in Misisi, Chawama and Kuomboka compounds.
Mr Sichimba told the Sun in a statement that the operation was meant to check on compliance relating to liquor business which started at 08:00 hours and ended at 10:00 hours.
“The affected bars were found operating outside stipulated hours contrary to the Liquor Licensing (Permitted Hours) Regulations of 2012.
“The law stipulates that bars and bottle stores (retail liquor) must open at 10:00 hours and close at 22:00 hours,” Mr Sichimba said.
Mr Sichimba said Night clubs/social clubs must open at 10:00 hours and close at 24:00 hours while wholesale liquor must open at 08:00 hours and close at 18:00 hours.
He said the only exempted establishments were hotels, lodges, guest houses, restaurants, boarding houses, camps and camp sites which could sell liquor at any time to clients.
Unfortunately, he said, some establishments dealing in liquor were not operating within the law hence the operations to enforce the regulations.
He said that operations for underage patronage of alcohol i9n drinking places would also be conducted during these Easter holidays.
Mr Sichimba warned people operating liquor establishments and the general public to always abide by the law to avoid inconveniences.
