retailers who keep their stores open after the legal business hours. He explained that the youths who keep hanging around in a public place without a clear or apparent purpose not only become a nuisance but that they also pose a risk when it comes to public safety. “People must not keep hanging around a store. It could scare off customers but it could also lead to situations where people are being observed by others with bad intentions,” said Minister Monorath. Last year the police sounded the alarm because stores remained open after 9 p.m. despite the rule of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation which states that they must close at 9 p.m. sharp. Surprise inspections revealed that several entrepreneurs ignored the rule on closing time. Meanwhile the police also complained about youths who kept assembling and loitering in the direct vicinity of stores thereby making other people feel unsafe. Minister Monorath has already discussed the issue with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and will soon invite associations that represent retailers to a meeting. He made it clear that retailers must not keep their businesses open after the official business hours.