Cafe-looking nightclubs operate under new café license, violating regulations

Venues such as nightclubs and breweries which are due to be closed as part of the corona virus measures from March 15 remain open by converting their licenses to cafe and restaurant. Some businesses work in accordance with their new licenses, while some nightclubs continue to operate as nightclubs with a restaurant license. The interior ministry will fine places that do not do business in accordance with their license under a new circular.

A circular issued by the Ministry of interior the previous day stressed that businesses such as casinos, pavilions, discotheques, bars, breweries, taverns or nightclubs, which should already be closed, remain open by changing the license. The businesses in question have converted their licenses to cafes or restaurants to avoid being harmed by the pandemic.

In a statement made by the ministry, it was announced that inspections will be tightened at businesses that continue to operate by changing their licenses. In other words, if a brewery licensed business that should be closed has obtained a restaurant license to stay open, the brewery license will have to be revoked.

The interior ministry stressed that businesses have not taken the measures taken against the outbreak and are continuing their old areas of activity through the change of license. The businesses in question were also warned that penalties would be imposed.