The curfew, in force in New Caledonia since May, will be eased from Monday, November 4, and will apply from midnight to five in the morning, and restrictions on the sale of alcohol will be relaxed, the Alto said on Sunday Commissioner of the Republic of this territory. In a press release, he justified the easing of restrictions “the gradual improvement of security conditions that has been observed for several weeks throughout the territory”.
Since May 13, the South Pacific archipelago has been the victim of violent tensions on a scale unprecedented since the 1980s, linked to the challenge of an electoral reform criticized by the pro-independence camp. Thirteen people, including two gendarmes, died, hundreds were injured and the material damage is estimated at at least 2.2 billion euros.
The curfew was imposed the day after the riots began. The traffic ban, imposed for the first time between 6 pm and 6 am, has been subject to several relaxations. The new schedules are applicable until November 18, when the situation will be reassessed.
The sale of takeaway alcohol has also been expanded, authorized again within the framework of strict limits on quantities and times since June 10, the High Commission states in its press release. Sales on Saturday morning are therefore authorized again, but weekday opening hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays) remain unchanged, as do Authorized quantities: four liters for beer or cider. , two liters for wine and a maximum of one liter for strong alcohol. Once again, the measure is in effect until November 18.
The transport and carrying of firearms and the transport of fuel in jerry cans remain prohibited throughout the territory, as do meetings in the capital, Nouméa, and its surroundings.
