Dubai cafes told not to fill baby bottles due to Covid-19 risk

The city's trading standards inspectors said parents handing bottles to staff could spread the virus

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

Cafes and coffee shops in Dubai have been told not to fill baby bottles with milk or water, due to the possible risk of spreading coronavirus.

Dubai Economy's trading standards unit said parents handing over bottles to staff could pose a hygiene risk.

Officials also said the practice was "against local culture", without elaborating.

"The directive was issued after it was found that visitors bring baby bottles to cafes and fill them up with coffee and beverages," the department said.

"Inspections teams from Dubai Economy promptly summoned the cafes on being alerted on the negative practice and its risks by social media users.

"Such indiscriminate use of baby bottles is not only against local culture and traditions but mishandling of the bottle during the filling could also contribute to the spread of Covid-19."

Dubai Economy said the public can alert inspectors to any bad practices they come across through the Dubai Consumer App, by calling 60 054 5555, or via Consumerrights.ae.

Last week, three launderettes in the city were temporarily closed due to cleanliness breaches by staff.

Hundreds of restaurants and shops have been inspected to look for breaches of coronavirus rules.