Dubai businesses closed and fined for breaching Covid-19 rules

Dubai Economy carried out thousands of inspections throughout January

An employee at Dubai International Airport walks past a poster reminding passengers to keep a safe distance from each other, after the resumption of scheduled operations by Emirates on May 22. Karim Sahib / AFP

People wear face masks as they play football in the grassy area outside the closed Zabeel park in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Passengers of an Emirates flight prepare to board a plan to Sydney at Dubai International Airport. Karim Sahib / AFP

Workers wear face masks as they buy food from. asupermarket oin Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A man carries a sack of onions at Al Mina Vegetables and Fruits Market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Al Wadha Mall in Abu Dhabi reopens with measures in place to protect shoppers. Victor Besa / The National

Al Wadha Mall in Abu Dhabi reopens with measures in place to protect shoppers. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors wear face masks while snowboarding at Ski Dubai, which reopened on May 27 along with cinemas, gyms and other entertainment venues. Mahmoud Khaled / EPA

Beach-goers lie on lounge chairs by the shoreline near Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai on May 20, as Covid-19 measures are eased. Karim Sahib / AFP

A Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel staff member waits to greet guests in Dubai as safety measures are eased. Karim Sahib / AFP

People eat at a restaurant in Dubai as measures begin to ease.However, precautions are still. inplace to protect diners. Karim Sahib / AFP

Stickers are placed along aisles at a supermarket in Dubai marking safe distances for shoppers to maintain to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AFPo

Officers man Dubai Plice's Command and Control Centre amid the coronavirus outbreak. Karim Sahib / AFP

Fourteen businesses in Dubai were shut and 213 were fined for breaking coronavirus regulations in January.

The emirate's department of economic development took action following a campaign of inspections at shopping centres and open markets.

The majority of the offences related to failure of staff to wear masks or abide by physical distancing regulations.

Authorities did not name the businesses concerned.

The sweep of thousands of premises was carried out by the commercial compliance and consumer protection sector of Dubai Economy.

"The field teams were keen on inspecting all areas in Dubai to ensure that commercial establishments adhered to the precautionary guidelines without fail," said Hassan BuNafour, senior manager of the field control department for the sector.

"The inspections found that 15,045 establishments fully complied with the guidelines. The violations were found across diverse businesses, especially those that received customers or ran the risk of overcrowding and hence, lack of adequate physical distancing.”

Dubai Economy called on the public to report any breaches of regulations through the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google and Huawei stores, by calling 600545555, or by the Consumerrights.ae website.