In Belarus, drinking beer in public places is prohibited

February 23, Minsk / Vasily Malashenkov - BELTA /. In Belarus, drinking beer in public places is prohibited. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses of Belarus come into force today. In particular, the new version of Article 17.3 states that drinking alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages (with an ethyl alcohol content of 0.5% to 7%) or beer on the street, at a stadium, in a square, park, public transport, or other public places is prohibited. However, this does not apply to places specifically designated for alcohol consumption (bars, restaurants, etc.). For violating the article, a fine of up to eight basic units (currently up to Br280 thousand) is provided. As noted by the Department of Internal Affairs on Transport of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, drinking beer is also prohibited on passenger aircraft of the national airline "Belavia". At the same time, business class passengers can still consume alcohol in quantities permitted by the rules of this airline. The ban on drinking beer has affected passenger trains, as well as railway transport facilities in Belarus. The latter include stopping points, stations, and terminals. The transport police reminded that even before, it was forbidden to drink strong alcoholic beverages in compartments and reserved seats, contrary to popular belief. Many citizens either ignored this requirement or simply did not know about it. The law will also apply to foreign trains traveling through Belarus, unlike aircraft of foreign companies. At the same time, it will still be possible to consume alcohol on trains in dining cars. In addition, police officers will now be able to draw up protocols for being at the workplace in a state of alcoholic, drug, or toxicomaniacal intoxication. A fine is also provided for this - from one to ten basic units (Br35 thousand - Br350 thousand). But if all these actions are committed repeatedly within one year, the offender will pay from two to fifteen basic units (Br70 thousand - Br525 thousand). Administrative arrest may also be applied to him. -0-