No panic for bars on New Year’s Eve changeover

Bar owners fearing a sudden changeover from giving change in Maltese currency to the Euro when the new year comes in have nothing to panic about.
The National Euro Changeover Committee yesterday said it had already issued a circular four months ago informing businesses that trading in Maltese currency can continue until the trading day comes to an end on 1 Jan.
NECC chief executive Alan Camilleri said bars whose trading day commences on 31 December will keep giving out change in Maltese lira well after the clock strikes midnight, until owners close their cash registers, marking the end of their trading day.
“Once business starts on 31 December, that trading day will be officially closed when bar owners take the Z-reading for their cash registers. If business starts on 31 December and continues to 7am on 1 January, this is still the last possible day that bars can keep giving out change in Maltese lira,” Camilleri said.
However bars will be also obliged to accept euros in payment. Still, no sign of a euro-crisis yet setting in for the busiest night in Malta’s nightlife.

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