The Suva City Council has approved more than 200 permits from business operators for an extension in operating hours.

Spokesperson Jillian Hicks said these businesses have asked to extend their operating hours to 9pm, and they will have to pay a weekly fee of $20. She adds the fee is charged on a weekly basis so that business operators can chose to continue to open till 9pm during a week or not.

However, Hicks said they did not approve any permits for the extension of opening hours for billiard shops and internet cafes, and these shops will have to close at 5pm.

Hicks said they are adhering to the decision reached during a meeting with the Police National Operations Command Centre that all internet cafes and billiard shops close at 5pm.

This is after police found out that many students are frequenting the internet and billiard shops at night.