Dubai tightens Covid safety rules; 'tougher penalties' announced

Dubai - Measures effective from February 2 to February 28, 2021.

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, headed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced a new set of precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding the community from Covid-19 coronavirus, effective February 2, 2021 until the end of the month.

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During a meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansoor, the Committee noted that the new decisions are part of a constant evaluation of the evolving Covid-19 situation to ensure all precautionary measures are updated and implemented in line with local, regional and international developments. The measures seek to further enhance efforts to combat Covid-19, and protect the health and safety of all citizens, residents and visitors.

Daily reports have shown a marked increase in the number of violations of precautionary measures, the Committee added.

The health and wellbeing of the community remain the highest priorities for the leadership, especially in these exceptional circumstances, the Committee stressed, noting that the full cooperation of both institutions and community members is crucial to ensure effective implementation of Dubai’s strategy to curb COVID-19.

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The new precautionary measures announced include:

- Audience capacity of seated indoor venues, including cinemas as well as entertainment and sports venues to be reduced to 50 per cent of maximum capacity; enhanced precautionary measures will be stringently enforced.

- Hotel establishments will be required to operate at 70 per cent of total capacity; new bookings should comply with the new capacity limit.

- The number of guests allowed inside swimming pools and private beaches in hotels will be limited to 70 per cent of total capacity.

- Shopping malls will operate at a reduced capacity of 70 per cent.

- Restaurants and cafes will be required to close by 1.00am. They will also not be allowed to organise any entertainment activities in their premises.