Ramjattan mulls midnight ‘party done’ curfew

Mar 20, 2017 News

– based on recommendations by religious organisations

Even as many entertainment entities and regular party-goers are still coming to grips with the “imposition” that is the 2.00 a.m. ‘party done’ curfew, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has now begun examining the possibility of bringing this curfew forward by at least two more hours.
Speaking with reporters on the sidelines at the Validation Workshop for the Social Cohesion Strategic Plan on Thursday, Ramjattan said that he has been approached by persons wanting to have the curfew begin at midnight.
“A lot of the members here in this cohesion committee – Hindus, Muslims, Christians within the church movement and a lot of women want that curfew. As a matter of fact, they want to bring it forward to 12 o’clock,” Ramjattan said.
He responded to a suggestion made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who argued during a radio programme that the current 2.00 a.m. curfew should be relaxed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan enjoying a drink

“The Finance Minister and I are personal buddies quite frankly, and he has a view, and I have a view…and I think that the majority view is with me…lets hold it,” the Vice President declared.
He went on to point that, “We have to understand that Guyana is an extraordinarily heavy drinking society.”
Ramjattan went on to reference a recent household report on alcohol and illicit drug use, which he says shows that Guyana has the “biggest” binge drinking culture in the entire Caribbean.
“…and that has implications. Lots of traffic accidents Saturday and Friday afternoons, evenings and morning times, domestic violence and also, a lot of monies being misspent by people who would have ordinarily taken care of their children and so on, and of course the community,” Ramjattan noted.
The Minister believes that the curfew is also a positive thing for many of the persons who work in bars and restaurants during the wee hours of the mornings.
“…till two, three o’clock in the morning…now why should they be working so late?” Ramjattan asked.
The Member of Parliament also pointed to the issue of noise nuisance, noting that the existing curfew is also intended to curb this bother.
“A lot of people in that place, (Kitty night spot name given) have been writing to me, condemning the noise nuisance and all of that…and the blocking of traffic.”
Ramjattan added too that many decisions seem to be taking a “collision course,” where some people feel a decision will do some good, while there are others who feel that it, “will create a worse situation,” the Minister said.
Regardless of his colleague’s opinion, Ramjattan said that he will not be the one who will argue the case for an extension of the ‘party done’ curfew during the weekends.
“I believe that we are going to pay a greater price, despite what the bar owners are saying,” the Minister added.
Since it was enforced in 2015, night clubs, bars and restaurants across the country are ordered to shut off their businesses no later than that time. Failure to do so can lead to suspension, or even the revocation of the noncompliant entity’s business licence.

(Rehana Ahamad)

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