Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on Wednesday, August 30, released new regulations for night-time activities, which determine a closing time for commercial entertainment and businesses that serve alcoholic beverages. According to the RDB, commercial entertainment venues such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and liquor stores must close at 1:00 am from Monday to Friday and at 2:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. ALSO READ: RDB releases new night-time regulations Vendors and establishments are responsible for ensuring that all alcohol consumers are above the age of 18, for example by requesting a National Identity Card (ID Card) or any other type of official identification. According to the RDB, failure to comply with the regulations will result in penalties determined by the law regulating the tourism industry. The tourism law does not specifically mention aspects of business operating hours, serving alcohol to people under 18 years of age or to an intoxicated person, it gives general provisions about penalties businesses may face if their actions contravene the law. ALSO READ: Five little known prohibited acts of public drunkenness Suspending or cancelling operating licence According to the tourism law, the licence of a tourism entity may be suspended in case a tourism entity is requested to make corrections or fulfil the conditions required by the Board. The Board may cancel an operating license if the tourism entity fails to comply with the provisions of the law and the terms and conditions of the operating license. The operating licence may also be cancelled if the tourism entity seriously jeopardizes environment, health or public safety. Fines The tourism law says that any person who contravenes its provisions shall be liable to an administrative fine of Rwf100,000 to Rwf5 million. Other laws The law determining offences and penalties in general says that if a bar accepts to host any person in a state of excessive drunkenness and serves them alcoholic beverages, they are liable to imprisonment for a term of eight days to two months and a fine of Rwf50,000 Rwf200,000 or only one of the penalties.
