The island has experienced an accelerated urban economic development and due to constraints such as the island size, limited zoning, and land availability, this has resulted in land usage conflicts and unregulated economic activity.
Consequently, in areas which are otherwise considered as residential areas as well as mixed areas (residential and commercial development), commercial activity such as bars, restaurants and clubs, which create a nuisance to the neighborhood in which they operate, such as sound, smell and sight, will be limited.
"The overall objective here is to make sure that businesses are adhering to the law and comply with the stipulations within their licenses. Government does not want to close down any businesses, but every business owner has a responsibility and must follow the rules and regulations of the land.
"We want to see an improved quality of life for the residents in the various areas/districts," Commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.
Sound meters will be used in executing the controls. In case an establishment is emitting excessive noise, the following actions and penalties will be imposed, written warnings, closures of one week up to three months and permanent revocation of the establishment's license.
If an establishment doesn't have the required documentation such as a business, operational or vending licenses, the penalty is immediate closure until all the documents are in order.
Approximately 10 controllers will be out in the field conducting the exercise. The number also includes extra ordinary police officers who are authorized to give fines and or make arrests.