New Restrictions on Music and Public Games for Small Businesses in Pinar del Río

The Municipal Administration Council of Sandino, located in Pinar del Río province, has introduced a series of new regulations aimed at overseeing the operations of kiosks run by self-employed workers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the area, following repeated violations related to operating hours, noise levels, and waste management.

According to a report from Radio Sandino, the announcement was made by Lázaro Cabrera Cala, the Council's administrator, who emphasized that the measures are intended to "ensure order, respect for the public, and adherence to current legislation."

Strict Noise Control and Public Activities Ban

One of the most significant rules includes the ban on loud music past midnight in residential areas, in line with Law 150/2022 and Cuban Standards NC 19-01-04 and NC 19-01-06.

The permissible noise levels are set at 55-65 decibels during the daytime and 40-50 decibels at night for residential zones, and up to 75 during the day and 65 at night in commercial and recreational areas.

Additionally, installing domino tables and conducting recreational activities in public spaces or outside kiosks is prohibited, as per the guidelines from the National Institute of Territorial and Urban Planning (INOTU).

Revised Operating Hours and Waste Management

Businesses must close by 12:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday and on Sundays, while on Saturdays, they can remain open until 4:00 a.m. Cabrera Cala noted that this change "addresses complaints about excessive nighttime hours."

Each self-employed worker and SME is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their surroundings and transporting solid waste to designated micro-landfills, sorting it into four categories: biodegradable organics, recyclable inorganics, hazardous, and non-recyclable common waste.

Organizations managing public funds or providing social services are required to disclose basic information about their structure, objectives, and funding in accordance with the Transparency Law, with penalties for withholding public data.

Ensuring Data and Workplace Safety

The new regulations also mandate safeguarding personal data of clients and employees, prohibiting its use without explicit consent, and ensuring product quality, price transparency, and customer service, in line with the Ministry of Domestic Trade's Resolution 54/2018.

Moreover, any form of workplace harassment, bullying, or discrimination is explicitly banned, as per the Labor Code and Decree 96/2023.

Context of Broader Restrictions

The situation in Sandino is not unique. In Guantánamo, similar restrictions were imposed on bars and nightclubs in March this year, partly due to the energy crisis. Previously, in April 2025, residents of Los Arabos in Matanzas reported excessively loud music at government-authorized kiosks without effective institutional response.

In Las Tunas, 70% of respondents described the music from private businesses as "deafening" and "irritating," particularly during nighttime power outages, according to a September 2025 report.

The private sector in Cuba faces increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks. In August 2024, a new regulation identified 125 prohibited activities for SMEs and self-employed workers, and earlier this year, the government announced financial data cross-referencing to detect irregularities in the private sector.

Cabrera Cala warned that "non-compliance with these regulations will result in administrative sanctions, in defense of public tranquility and respect for the law."