Coronavirus: 12 businesses in Dubai receive fines as staff and customers flout Covid-19 rules

Shops, tailors and sports facilities in Dubailand among those fined and cautioned by Dubai Economy

An employee puts a room key through an ultraviolet sanitiser at Five hotel in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National

A worker places luggage through the ultraviolet sanitiser at Five hotel in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National

A man makes jewellery at the Waterfront Market in Deira. Chris Whiteoak /The National

A woman visits a hair salon at the Waterfront Market in Deira. Chris Whiteoak/The National

Air humidifiers are on display at the Waterfront Market in Deira. Chris Whiteoak/The National

Men load up watermelons at the Waterfront Market in Deira. Chris Whiteoak/The National

A woman receives her ice cream on a hot day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

Student Afzal Abdul Rahiman attends a class at The Gulf Model School in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Social distancing has been implemented on the school transport buses of The Gulf Model School. Antonie Robertson/The National

Worshippers attend the service in St Paul’s church in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. Reem Mohammed/The National

A man rides a camel along Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, outside Dubai. AFP

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Authorities in Dubai have fined and issued warnings to more than a dozen businesses for breaking strict Covid-19 safety measures.

Twelve businesses received penalties and five others were cautioned by officials after inspections were carried out across the city by retail regulator Dubai Economy on Tuesday.

Shops, tailors and sports facilities in Dubailand were among those caught flouting the rules.

Staff not wearing face masks correctly and failure to enforce social distancing were among some of the main breaches noted during the visits.

Inspectors from the agency's Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector carried out visits to the fitness centres in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council.

A number of other businesses were advised to place stickers around the premises to remind customers and clients to keep a safe social distance.

In total, 767 shops and establishments were found to be fully compliant with the government’s mandatory precautionary measures.

The inspections were part of ongoing efforts in Dubai to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

Officials asked consumers to report retailers seen ignoring rules by using the Dubai Consumer App, calling 600545555, or visiting the Consumerrights.ae website.

The authority reminded residents that strict action would be taken against any person or business found breaking the rules.

Last week, several restaurants and shops were shut down in the city after crowds flocked to take advantage of free meal offers and cut-price sales.

A video widely shared online showed shoppers spilling out onto the street during a flash sale at discount store Day-to-Day.

The store was promptly hit with a Dh50,000 fine and closed as Dubai Economy said it would not be “lenient in any way” with retailers who break social-distancing measures.

The UAE recorded 842 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday after conducting 93,682 tests.

Another 821 patients recovered from the virus while one died as a result of related complications.