Combatting COVID-19: Dubai reduces mall, restaurant capacity

New restrictions have been announced in Dubai as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The changes were announced under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

They apply to restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, entertainment and sports venues as well as hotels.

Indoor seating venues, including cinemas, and entertainment and sports venues, will operate at 50 per cent capacity, with restaurants and cafes required to close by 1:00 am.

Malls and hotels will operate at 70 per cent capacity, with the same limit applying for swimming pools and private beaches in hotels.

Pubs/bars will be closed.

The measures will remain in place from February 2 to 28.

Intensified monitoring and inspection campaigns will be conducted to ensure strict compliance with the rules.

#Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces new set of precautionary measures against COVID-19
Supreme Committee: Measures taken in response to rise in violations of preventive measures
Measures effective from 2nd February to 28th February 2021 pic.twitter.com/DmIN1ruuob

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2021

• 50% reduction in capacity of indoor seated venues including cinemas,entertainment&sports venues.
- Malls to operate at 70% capacity
• Hotels to operate at 70% capacity; new bookings should comply.
• Capacity of swimming pools&private beaches in hotels to be limited to 70%. pic.twitter.com/MrXvH90V4F

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2021

•Restaurants and cafes required to close by 1.00AM
•Tougher penalties for deliberately disregarding preventive measures
•Public encouraged to report violations by individuals or entities through Dubai Police’s Call Centre 901 or Police Eye service through Dubai Police App pic.twitter.com/i8LEETaf6U

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2021

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor said 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 Committee has also encouraged the public to report any violations of COVID-19 precautionary measures by individuals or establishments through Dubai Police’s Call Centre 901 or its ‘Police Eye’ service on the Dubai Police Smart App.

Penalties will be strictly imposed on anyone found posing a risk to public health by deliberately disregarding preventive measures or not observing them properly.

Inspections will be intensified to ensure compliance with precautionary measures, which continue to be crucial in overcoming the pandemic and protecting the community, especially the most vulnerable sections.