SANTO DOMINGO. - Seven businesses were shut down at dawn this Tuesday, for violating the decrees scheduling the sales of alcohol, whereas the official tally of fatalities during the holidays was announced at 38.

Once the holiday festivities concluded, the authorities resumed the patrols to enforce the law that prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages after midnight during the week.

Today Tuesday, the Interior and Police Ministry said that 7 businesses were closed were ordered shut down for a period of 5 to 7 days, for violating the disposition.

"These establishments will remain closed during these days that include the weekend, which are the days of highest sale. Our supervisors will continue working to enforce the disposition and any business that remains open in violation of the law will be closed," said Interior and Police minister Franklin Almeyda.

He said that more than 300 automobiles and 200 motorcycles were impounded after determining that their drivers and passengers were drinking alcohol.

"We want to warn the citizenship that we will continue working to enforce the resolution disregarding of who it is, because it‘s time  for prevention to be assumed by all the population, look at the New Year holiday in which the number of victims dropped after the measure of not mixing alcohol and driving," he said.

For their part, the National Emergencies Commission today announced the final nationwide death toll during the holidays at 38.