No ban on booze till Jan. 8

Santo Domingo.- The Interiorand Police Ministry on Thursday announced it has lifted the time restrictionsfor the sale of alcoholic beverages in bars, clubs, colmadones, ´drinks´ andrestaurants from today until January 8, on occasion of the Christmas and NewYear festivities.

It said the measure aimsto benefit music and arts groups with payment for their services, usuallyrecorded higher demands during the holiday period.

Except for the holidayseason, most business which sell alcoholic beverages were limited to 12 midnight,and until 3am on restaurants, bars and nightclubs.