Singapore’s late night public drinking scene is getting the boot says the South China Morning Post. It will now be illegal to drink alcohol in public places nationwide from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. Parliament made moves toward this decision in January after a major riot in December of 2013 that was blamed largely on public drunkenness.
Alcohol consumption in licensed restaurants, cafes and bars is still legal, but retail sale will not be permitted. Even stricter laws will be applied to the Geylang night entertainment district and Little India, where the 2013 riot resulted in heavy police presence and street fires. These areas are being dubbed “liquor control zones,” and under the new law, public alcohol consumption will be banned all weekend until 7 a.m. on Monday.
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean says the new law is also in response to the high number of complaints Singaporeans have reported about public drunkenness. First time offenders of the law could face fines, and repeat offenders may face jail time. [South China Morning Post][Photo: Flickr/Leong Him Woh]