Uzbek government is preparing a decision which prescribes the hour limits during which alcohol can be sold, a source in the government told The Tashkent Times.
The order to set the time limits for sale of alcohol in stores, cafes and restaurants was given at a government meeting by the Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov Saturday.
It is planned that the off-premises sale of alcoholic drinks will be banned after 21:00, and on-premises, in cafes, bars and ceremonial events - from 23:00.
The document is said to be aimed at "reducing the level of crimes committed, with reportedly about 25% of rapes and 16% of murders committed under the influence of alcohol".
Shopkeepers in different provinces of the country told they had been sent notifications from local authorities to stop selling alcohol after 21:00.
