This means that (on weekdays) they may only remain open, and thus sell alcohol, until 11pm, and (at weekends, i.e. Friday and Saturday) until midnight. According to the minister, studies have shown that most criminal activities, such as robberies, take place in colmados, and he thinks that earlier closing times will ensure that these locations are no longer interesting for criminal activity. The closing times for discos will also be changed, and owners that do not keep to these new rules will be fined. The minister could not say exactly when these new measures will come into force, or whether they will also apply to tourist towns such as Sosúa.

Source: Listin Diario and El Faro