Thursday, October 29, 2020
The new conservative-led government may revise some policies introduced by the current one, including on stimulus spending, but there will not be any overnight “revolutions”, according to prime minister candidate Ingrida Šimonytė. Having won the parliamentary elections, the conservative Homeland Union (TS-LKD) looks to form a ruling coalition with two liberal parties and oust the current bloc, led by the Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS), out of power. While in…
The government on Thursday decided to extend the country-wide ban on late-night alcohol sales by one month until November 24 to limit the spread of coronavirus. Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) said while the spread of the coronavirus is stabilizing with the help of the current restrictions, the threat has yet to pass, which is why the government deems it warranted to continue the ban, spokespeople for the government said.…
The government agreed on in principle on Tuesday not to shorten the self isolation requirement for people arriving in Estonia and close contacts from 14 days to 10. It was also agreed to extend the alcohol restrictions currently in place. Formal decisions will be made by the government on Thursday and discussions around the quarantine period will continue next week. The Research Council, the Health Board and the Ministry of…
Alcohol smuggling is not extensive in Latvia, and the situation with illegal cigarette rates is improving, the Director of the State Revenue Service (VID) Tax and Customs Police Board, General Kaspars Podiņš, told Latvian Radio on June 26. “Last year we removed 112,000 liters of spirits, in 2018 there were 930,000 liters. More illegal drinks are produced on the spot. (..) We have a problem with smuggling alcohol from Poland,” Podiņš said.…
Average Lithuanian consumed 11.1 litres of pure alcohol last year, according to preliminary figures from the country’s statistics office, slightly down from the year before. The figures released by Statistics Lithuania on Friday include only legally-sold alcohol per population aged 15 and above. In 2018, the average alcohol consumption was 11.2 litres. Lithuania’s retailers and caterers sold 29 million litres of spirits (vodka, whiskey, brandy, etc.) last year, down by…
Latvian parliament will allow the sale of alcohol through the internet during the state of emergency related to the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus, according to LETA news agency on March 20. The law won’t apply to tobacco products and electronic cigarette fluid. Those buying alcohol will still have to be at least 18 years old and make the purchase between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. According to the Finance…
Slightly more than half of Lithuanians say they are satisfied with the current restrictions on alcohol sale, a survey commissioned by the country’s Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department shows. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed had a positive opinion about the existing restrictions, while 39 percent thought otherwise. The respective shares were 48 and 47 percent in 2018. The government shortened alcohol selling hours, raised legal drinking age to 20…
Though the Tallinn city council was set to approve the capital’s alcohol sales restrictions bill during its sitting on Thursday, the city government withdrew the bill from the agenda. Chairman of the city council’s Centre Party group Toivo Tootsen told ERR that the city government wants more time to consult with concerned parties. “They are probably looking for a compromise to suit everyone that would still give citizens a few…
Greek student Davis Giorgi is a researcher and interested in the behavior and actions of people. Coming to Vilnius for his Master’s, he has been observing and studying the inhabitants. He has been shocked by the different varieties of alcohol, and the strong spirits, that are sold in supermarkets. Also, the high skyscraper apartments in Vilnius’ suburbs – that almost all look the same, also surprise him. After classes, he…
Dubai has loosened its liquor laws to allow tourists to purchase alcohol in state-controlled stores, previously only accessible to license-holding residents, as the United Arab Emirates saw the first drop in alcohol sales by volume in a decade. The new laws, which also let visitors to skyscraper-studded Dubai obtain liquor permits themselves for the first time, come amid a widening economic downturn affecting this oil-rich nation on the Arabian Peninsula.…
