Rules for Sunday liquor sales to be relaxed

Ecuador’s Interior Minister José Serrano and Director of Tourism Vinicio Alvarado announced on Wednesday that rules regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays will be relaxed.

Restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets and lodging establishments can now serve liquor until 10 p.m. on Sunday, while social clubs and banquet facilities can serve between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

According to the new rules, the affected businesses and clubs cannot advertise the sale of drinks but can serve them if they are requested by customers. In restaurants, drinks can only be ordered when accompanied by food.

Rules regulating liquor sales were adopted in 2010, prohibiting sales after midnight Monday through Thursday and after 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday sales were restricted to beer, wine and chichi, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

One of the reasons for the change were complaints by hotel and restaurant owners that the rules hurt business with foreign tourists.

Photo caption: Interior Minister José Serrano.