Retailers gear up as Liquor Control Law kicks in

Alcohol cannot be sold from 10:30 pm to 7 am.

Retailers are gearing up for the enforcement of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, which limits the availability of liquor to the public. The law will come into force tomorrow, April 1.

Under the act, consumption of liquor and the retail sale of take-away liquor will not be allowed from 10.30pm to 7am every day, with the exception of certain establishments as determined by the police.

These restrictions apply to the retail sale of take-away liquor. The supply of liquor on licensed premises such as restaurants, coffee shops or bars can continue in accordance with existing licensing hours and conditions.

The Minister for Home Affairs has also ordered the declaration of two Liquor Control Zones (LCZ) in Geylang and Little India, where additional restrictions will be imposed.

In these LCZs, public alcohol consumption is forbidden on weekends and public holidays. On weekends, public drinking is banned from 7am of Saturday to 7am of the following Monday; on public holidays, alcohol consumption is forbidden from 7pm of the eve of a public holiday to 7am of the day after the public holiday.

However, members of the public can continue to consume liquor at home, and within licensed premises such as restaurants, coffee shops or bars, in accordance with the hours stipulated in the licences.

Members of the public can also continue to consume liquor if they have a valid permit issued by the National Parks Board to organise a barbecue in a national park.