Singapore to lift ban on alcohol sale but consumption rules imposed

Alcohol must be consumed within seller premises.

The Singapore police announced that the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol on premises by shops holding public house and beer house licenses, which was imposed after the riot on December 8 in Little India, will be lifted.

Licensed establishments will be allowed to sell the various types of alcohol as permitted by their respective licenses, but consumption must be within their premises.

Any consumption outside their premises will be considered a breach of the ban against public consumption of alcohol, said the Singapore police, and warned that this rule will be enforced strictly.

Lifting the ban for these different licenses will affect about 240 stakeholders and establishments, such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, and coffeeshops, and allow their customers to enjoy their drinks within the confines of the premises.

Police will hold all liquor licence holders accountable for ensuring the conditions of their licence are fully complied with. Specifically, they can only serve alcohol for consumption within their establishments. Police will take a stern view against liquor licencees who allow take-away of alcohol or who serve alcohol outside their licensed premises, in public places. This is absolutely prohibited and licence holders risk losing their liquor licence should Police discover such breaches.

Similarly, Police will act against establishments who continue to sell alcohol to customers who are already intoxicated.

Moving forward, the Singapore police, in consultation with the Liquor Licensing Board, will be adopting a more calibrated and sustainable approach to manage the sale and consumption of alcohol at Little India and its surrounding vicinity, from this weekend onwards.