Opening hours for businesses under the state of emergency in St. James have been extended, specifically for the holiday period.

The time schedule was relaxed by the National Security minister, following appeals from business operators.

The new times became effective on Thursday, and will end on January 2, next year.

As per the order signed by the minister, places that operate under a tavern licence will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at midnight, from Sunday to Thursday, while on weekends they can operate from 9:00 a. m. 2:00 a. m. the following day.

For other public places – except a tourism enterprise – the new operating hours are from 9:00 a. m. to midnight on Sunday through to Thursday, while on weekends they open at 7:00 a. m. then close at 2: a. m. the following day.

As of January 3, businesses are expected to revert to the original operating hours of 7: 00 a. m. to 10: 00 p. m.