Dubai: 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 His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced a new set of precautionary measures aimed at safeguarding the community from COVID-19, effective February 2, 2021.
On February 26, it was announced that these precautions will be extended until the start of Ramadan in mid-April.
The precautionary measures have reduced the capacity of indoor venues, hotels, shopping malls and restaurants and cafes. Here is all you need to know about the maximum capacity and closing hours of these public places.
Fifty per cent at cinemas, sports venues
Audience capacity of seated indoor venues, including cinemas as well as entertainment and sports venues will be reduced to 50 per cent of maximum capacity; enhanced precautionary measures will be stringently enforced.
Shopping malls, hotels to operate at 70 per cent
Hotel establishments will be required to operate at 70 per cent of total capacity; new bookings should comply with the new capacity limit.
This includes swimming pools and private beaches in hotels, which will be limited to 70 per cent of total capacity.
Shopping malls will operate at a reduced capacity of 70 per cent.
Restaurants to close by 1am
Restaurants and cafes will be required to close by 1am. They will also not be allowed to organise any entertainment activities on their premises.
Pubs and bars will be closed.
Intensified inspection
The Committee added that intensified monitoring and inspection campaigns will be conducted to ensure strict compliance with precautionary measures and safety protocols, including physical distancing and wearing of facemasks.
The Committee added that community members were encouraged to report any violations of COVID-19 precautionary measures by individuals or establishments through the Dubai Police’s Call Centre 901 or its ‘Police Eye’ service in the Dubai Police Smart App.
Not wearing a medical face mask, fabric mask, or veil when visiting an indoor public place, shopping mall and in public transport
Fine: Dh3,000
Violations of restrictions of gatherings, meetings and private and public celebrations in public places, private farms or homes.
Fine: Dh10,000 for those who invite or organise gatherings.
Fine: Dh5,000 for each of the participants.
The new protocols were announced after the number of violations of precautionary measures showed a marked increase, according to the Committee.
