Tallinn's late night alcohol restrictions likely to be delayed until 2021

The City of Tallinn's plan to restrict nighttime alcohol sales in entertainment establishments is likely to be postponed until next year. Discussions have been delayed in the council due to the coronavirus, ETV's "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.
Last autumn, Tallinn approved a bill banning the sale of alcohol in the city's bars, nightclubs, pubs and other entertainment establishments from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays. At the weekend the ban would run from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m.
The amendment was due to enter into force on October 1 but the council will not be able to discuss the draft law until September, so it is likely implementation will not occur until 2021.
Chairman of Tallinn City Council Tiit Terik (KE) said the issue needs to be discussed further among the parties, especially plans to extend the rules to casinos which were previously exempt.
"I am more than sure that this is an issue in Tallinn that needs to be regulated and that we definitely need to move forward with it," said Terik.
Kristen Michal, chairman of the opposition Reform Party faction in Tallinn City Council, says the bill tries to solve the problem in an outdated way. He also thinks the ban is not reasonable due to the current economic situation.
"If we do not want Tallinn to be in a bad situation in a couple of years, [where] people are unemployed, looking for work, then today we should look for more modern solutions," Michal said.
Terik said despite the economic situation the future must also be considered.
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Editor: Helen Wright