Coronavirus: dozens more stores in Dubai shut down for breaching Covid-19 safety measures

Barber shops, beauty parlours and retailers have been caught flouting rules

People are out to get their exercise and sun after the Dubai government eased restrictions on personal travel. Leslie Pableo for The National

People are out to get their exercise and sun after the 24hr quarantine is lifted in Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

The decision will allow people to move freely between 6am and 10pm for the first time since April 4. Leslie Pableo for The National

Joggers enjoy the Dubai sun. Leslie Pableo for The National

People are out to get their exercise and sun after the 24hr quarantine is lifted in Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National

Residents must be in their homes between 10pm and 6am. Leslie Pableo for The National

A man walks his dog by the beach. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A lady exercises in the Dubai marina on the first morning where the government has eased restrictions. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man exercises in the Dubai Marina on the first morning where the government has eased restrictions on personal travel due to Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Authorities in Dubai have shut down or issued warnings to dozens more shops for flouting Covid-19 safety measures.

Retail regulator Dubai Economy said on Monday that it had closed 26 stores, imposed penalties on 14 and warned a further 234.

Furniture shops, tailors, car rental companies and grocery stores were among those caught out.

Premises shut down included stores in Al Quoz, Al Nakheel, Al Warqa and Al Wasl.

Dubai announced an easing of the government's stay at home order over the weekend.

More businesses were allowed to open provided they adhered to strict public health protection measures.

These included shop staff using face masks and gloves, the enforcement of social distancing among customers, and keeping to specific trading hours.

On Monday, officials said most of the breaches which had occurred had involved staff not wearing face masks or gloves.

The store closures came after 21 shops were shut down and 65 were cautioned over the weekend. A further seven were fined.

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

On Friday, Dubai eased movement restrictions put in place to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Residents are now allowed to move freely, without requiring prior permission, between 6am and 10pm for the first time since April 4.

The move, which coincided with the beginning of Ramadan, also allowed beauty salons and barber's in the city to reopen.

Taha Hussein, 34, co-owner of the Hair and Beard barber's in Jebel Ali, said he began to receive calls on Thursday night from customers who had gone weeks without having a haricut.

“Clients started calling me immediately and we made reservations [for the weekend],” he said.

"We will be able to serve up to 10 clients per day.”

Mr Hussein, an Egyptian resident, said the shop could operate daily from 10am to 9pm, with five barbers covering two shifts per day.

“We are taking all the precautionary and preventive measures as per the authorities’ requirements, such as disposable razors, towels and disinfecting tools,” he said.