Concerned about the safety of people because of brawls, robberies and attacks that have resulted in deaths, Cabinet yesterday approved a review of nightclub opening hours in the country.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made the announcement in a post-Cabinet media conference where he said consultations would be held with all stakeholders — including nightclub owners and their employees.
“Currently, nightclub opening hours are authorised from 5pm to 5am for designated zones,” he said.
“In recent years there have been numerous reports of brawls, robberies and attacks in the areas around nightclubs in designated zones in the early hours of the morning.
“This has also resulted recently in some loss of lives.
“The Fiji Police Force made submissions for review of the opening hours of nightclubs given ongoing law breaking, violence and robberies are cause for concern and pose a risk to the safety of citizens.”
Mr Rabuka said the review team would include representatives from the Home Affairs Ministry and Attorney-General’s office. He also said nightclub owners and workers would be consulted because their livelihoods would be affected by any reduction in operating hours.
