Municipalities oppose lifting dry law

The Panama Association of Municipalities (Amupa) has rejected, the government’s move to lift the Dry Law, which had been imposed to contain the advance of  COVID-19.

A statement, issued on Thursday, May 7  claims that the consumption of alcoholic beverages during quarantine can trigger situations such as domestic violence and disruption of public order, and can be damaging to districts with few law enforcement officers.

The reaction came after the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday, that a decree will be issued to gradually lift the Dry Law from Friday, May 8

“We reiterate again our rejection and concern about the decision to lift the Dry Law and we consider that at this moment it is not pertinent since there are other much more important priorities for the benefit of the population,” the statement said.

Earlier, the Mayor’s Office of Santiago, Veraguas province, issued a decree extending the Dry Law until, June 7.