Dry law in Panama 2024 elections: when does the ban on alcohol sales and consumption begin?
The Panama’s Election Tribunal in an effort to ensure the general elections on Sunday 5 May are calm and incident-free has applied the country’s ‘Dry Law’.
Panama, one of many countries this year, is holding elections this year on Sunday 5 May. Citizens will be casting ballots to decide among other things who will be the president and vice-president of the Central American nation.
As part of the preparations for election day in Panama, it was announced that to guarantee calm and to ensure voting on the big day would be incident-free, it was decided to apply the ‘Ley Seca’ or dry law in English. That is, the sale of alcohol will be prohibited.
When does the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol begin due to the elections in Panama?
This Prohibition measure will apply from noon on this Saturday, May 4, and all restrictions will be lifted until noon on Monday, May 6. Therefore, neither Saturday afternoon nor all of Sunday can any type of alcoholic beverage be consumed or purchased in Panama.
This limitation includes the sale or service of alcoholic beverages either in self-service establishments, stores, as well as in restaurants, canteens and nightclubs, which was announced by the Electoral Tribunal of Panama in a statement. However, there are exceptions for certain people who are in Panama.
The only exception for alcohol consumption applies to foreigners staying in hotels. They will have to verify that they are visitors to Panama, afterwhich they will be able to order and consume alcoholic beverages at those venues.
“From noon on Saturday the 4th to noon on Monday the 6th of May all canteens, wineries, nightclubs, dance halls and other places where drinks will be closed alcoholic beverages and their sale, gift, transfer, use and consumption are prohibited,” read the order from the Electoral Tribunal of Panama.