While ‘curfew’ seems to be the term used to describe this period, people are perfectly allowed to roam the streets at any hour. They just can’t buy alcohol or go to bars or clubs past 11pm. Local police have been visiting the nightlife hubs of Yangon this past week, forcing them to close up at the 11pm even on the weekends. This law of last-call has been on the books years before the NLD took control but was casually flouted by food & beverage businesses that make their living off of the night-owl crowd. The Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) is now enforcing the largely forgotten law and the popular late-night spots are all complying.
It is rumored that this curfew will last 100 days. Whether that means the first 100 days of the NLD’s rule (which will be over before July) or 100 starting now (over near September), is unclear.
A few businesses were able to avoid the curfew during Myanmar matriculation exams but they might not be so lucky this time around. MYANMORE will keep you up to date with which spots will remain open. Hotels and convenience stores are unaffected, that said, g&g or abc shops won’t sell you beer past the cut off. For those willing to go through trial & error, hotel bars that are removed from street view will most likely still be serving alcohol.
