Coronavirus: Dubai shuts down 47 venues for flouting Covid-19 safety rules

Officials say nearly 10,000 hotels and recreational facilities have been inspected in two months

Abu Dhabi residents enjoy the winter weather on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A couple watch the sunset from the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A man plays at Arena Games at DIFC Gate Avenue. Reem Mohammed / The National

Staff disinfects the lobby at the Waldorf Astoria on Al Hamra Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Leslie Pableo for The National

A pianist performs at the Waldorf Astoria on Al Hamra Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Leslie Pableo for The National

Children play at Zabeel park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A closed notice is pasted on the gate of a church in Jebel Ali in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A man sells balloons in Zabeel park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A medical staff member answers questions from people getting tested at the DPI Testing Centres in Ghantoot, at the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Leslie Pableo for The National

Tests are carried out at the drive-through DPI screening centres in Ghantoot, at the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Authorities in Dubai have shut down 47 venues for flouting Covid-19 safety measures in the past two months, officials said on Monday.

The venues were hit with a closure order after spot checks by the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

The actions are part of an ongoing campaign to ensure that businesses in the emirate continue to adhere to Covid-19 safety measures.

Officials said nearly 10,000 inspections of hotels and recreational facilities have been carried out over the past two months.

DTCM said 274 offences were recorded since New Year’s Eve in Dubai.

Dubai enforced stricter precautionary measures in February to reduce the number of coronavirus cases. Attendance at malls, hotels, swimming pools and private beaches in hotels was limited to 70 per cent of their respective capacity.

Indoor venues, including cinemas, had their capacity reduced to 50 per cent while brunches were banned for the month from the city’s hotels and restaurants.

Only seven people were allowed to sit together at the same table in restaurants, while that number was reduced to four in cafes.

“Dubai Tourism has sought the co-operation of all its stakeholders to ensure that both staff and visitors adhere to the precautionary measures at all times. This will help residents and visitors enjoy the diversity of Dubai’s offerings within a safe environment,” DTCM said in a statement.

“This was also aimed at enhancing the city’s readiness to receive domestic guests and global travellers.”