Coronavirus: Dubai shuts three shisha cafes for breaking Covid-19 rules

Inspectors make more than 200 visits across the emirate

Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche Hotel with updated Covid-19 precautionary measures. A distance sign at the check-in area of the hotel. Victor Besa / The National

Labourers working at one of the construction site during the sunset in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National)

A man wearing a protective mask is seen shopping in Ibn Batutta mall. Pawan Singh / The National

People wearing a protective face mask on the Abra in Dubai Creek in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Bus commuters at downtown Abu Dhabi heading home during rush hour. Victor Besa / The National

One of the guests at the Towers Rotana hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai Municipality has closed three shisha cafes and a laundry for flouting Covid-19 rules.

The closures came during a sweep of 204 establishments across the emirate on Friday.

Most premises inspected by officials were following the rules, but a laundry in Al Marar and cafes in Al Twar 2 and Oud Metha 1 were shut.

The authorities have recently stepped up their campaign to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Dubai has reduced the maximum number of people allowed to sit together in restaurants from 10 to seven, and to four in cafes.

The minimum distance between tables has been increased from two to three metres.

Tougher restrictions have also been imposed on  attendance of social events, including weddings and private parties.

Since January 27, only first-degree relatives – a person's parents, siblings or children – have been allowed to attend, with a maximum of 10 people.

The health authorities have also been ramping up the national vaccination programme.

Officials said on Saturday that 87,720 doses were administered, bringing the UAE’s total to 2,426,793.

This represents 24.54 doses per 100 people, and puts the UAE second behind Israel in the global vaccination race.

Cases in the UAE reached a new daily high of 3,566 cases on Saturday, the highest figure for the 12th consecutive day.

But a record 4,051 patients recovered from the virus, taking the total number of people to have overcome Covid-19 in the UAE to 247,318.