Coronavirus: Sharjah cuts capacity at malls, cinemas and beaches

Concerts and musical shows are postponed for a month under latest guidelines

Sharjah cut the capacity of public venues and temporarily closed others in the fight against the coronavirus. Pawan Singh / The National

Sharjah authorities said the capacity at venues such as malls and beaches will be cut and live music events postponed for a month as part of efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Public transport, cinemas, entertainment venues, gyms, private beaches and swimming pools must operate at 50 per cent of their maximum capacity under guidelines announced by Sharjah Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee on Tuesday.

Shopping malls will operate at 60 per cent capacity, while public beaches and parks are limited to 70 per cent.

All concerts and musical shows will be postponed for four weeks.

Coronavirus in the UAE:

Restaurants and coffee shops may only allow a maximum of four people per table unless customers are members of the same family.

Service providers at restaurants and coffee shops except those who were vaccinated from the coronavirus must take a PCR test every two weeks.

A maximum of 10 people are permitted to attend weddings and family gatherings.

At funerals only 20 people can attend, while a maximum of eight may accompany the coffin. Only two people are permitted to prepare the grave.

A PCR test is mandatory every week for employees of public and semi-public departments who need to work from an office.

Private sector employees must be tested every two weeks.

Individuals who were vaccinated are exempt.

Inspections will be increased to ensure the new rules are being followed.

The committee urged the public to abide by the revised rules and said that penalties would be increased for those who flout them.

“The commitment of each individual is a key factor in preserving the safety of the society,” a committee statement said.