No Alcohol Sales in The Bahamas on Election Day

May 9, 2026, 19:06
InternationalPolitics

Introduction

The government of The Bahamas says people cannot buy alcohol on May 12 because of the national elections.

Main Body

No shops or bars can sell alcohol from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 12. The government wants the day to be safe and quiet. Businesses that sell alcohol on this day will lose their licenses. This rule is for all land and private islands. Cruise ships like Disney and Royal Caribbean must follow this law. People cannot drink alcohol on the islands, but they can drink on the ships. Royal Caribbean is giving some money back to guests at the Royal Beach Club. Some other ships changed their travel plans to avoid the islands. Some passengers are unhappy because they did not know about this rule.

Conclusion

You cannot buy alcohol on land during the election hours, but you can buy it on the ships.

Learning

🚫 STOP / βœ… GO

In this text, we see two opposite ways to talk about rules. This is perfect for A2 learners to describe what is allowed and what is forbidden.

1. The 'No' Rule (Forbidden)

  • No shops or bars can sell alcohol.
  • People cannot buy alcohol.

Pattern: No + [Thing/Person] + can + [Action] β†’\rightarrow It is not allowed.

2. The 'Can' Rule (Allowed)

  • They can drink on the ships.
  • You can buy it on the ships.

Pattern: [Person] + can + [Action] β†’\rightarrow It is okay to do this.

Quick Look at 'Avoid'

The text uses the word avoid.

  • Avoid the islands β†’\rightarrow stay away from the islands.

If you want to reach A2, use 'can' for permission and 'avoid' when you don't want to go somewhere.

Vocabulary Learning

government (n.)
the group of people who control a country
Example:The government (n.) will decide the new law.
people (n.)
persons in general
Example:Many people (n.) are happy with the news.
buy (v.)
to purchase something
Example:I can buy a ticket at the shop.
alcohol (n.)
a drink that contains alcohol
Example:They cannot buy alcohol (n.) on election day.
election (n.)
a vote to choose leaders
Example:The election (n.) will happen on May 12.
shop (n.)
a place where goods are sold
Example:The shop (n.) is closed after 6 PM.
bar (n.)
a place where drinks are sold
Example:The bar (n.) is also closed on election day.
sell (v.)
to give something in exchange for money
Example:The shop sells alcohol (v.) during the day.
safe (adj.)
free from danger
Example:The day will be safe (adj.) for everyone.
quiet (adj.)
not noisy
Example:The town will be quiet (adj.) on election day.
business (n.)
a company or store
Example:Many businesses (n.) lose their license.
license (n.)
permission to do something
Example:The business will lose its license (n.) if it sells alcohol.
rule (n.)
a rule or law
Example:The rule (n.) applies to all islands.
land (n.)
the ground
Example:You cannot buy alcohol on land (n.) during the election.
island (n.)
a piece of land surrounded by water
Example:The rule covers all private islands (n.).
ship (n.)
a large boat
Example:The ship (n.) can still sell alcohol.
cruise (n.)
a long trip on a ship
Example:The cruise (n.) must follow the law.
drink (v.)
to consume a liquid
Example:You can drink on the ship (v.) but not on land.
guest (n.)
a person staying in a hotel or club
Example:Guests (n.) can get money back at the club.
unhappy (adj.)
not happy
Example:The passengers were unhappy (adj.) about the rule.