Mayor turns sights on liquor laws

PANAMA MAYOR, J osé Blandon is expanding his crusade to bring some of the cty’entertainment and liquor sales centers into line.  After last week’s blitz on noise purveyors, and those not conforming to health regulations, or not making tax payments  Blandón said Friday, September 5  that he plans to change the so-called “carrot law.”

That’s the one which regulates the sale of alcohol and the operating hours of bars. Blandon says the law will be reviewed by a special commission and he has sent a note to Minister of Security Rodolfo Aguilera asking him to form the commission. According to Blandón, he has seen some establishments circumventing the law.
The law initially prohibited the sale of alcohol between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. Monday to Thursday, and after 3 a.m. on weekends. It was modified, to allow supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores to sell liquor 24 hours a day, while other establishments were allowed to stay open to 4 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Media investigations have revealed flagrant violations of the rules, with little reaction from the previous occupier’s of the mayor’s office.