Combatting COVID-19: Dubai fines 133 cafes, shuts 8 outlets for safety violations

Dubai Municipality has fined 133 cafes and closed eight others for violating health and safety guidelines.

This comes after places offering shisha and hookah services reopened following a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The violations included using expired tobacco products, serving customers under the age of 18 and failing to adhere to the precautionary measures set by the UAE. 

Dubai Municipality has intensified its inspection campaigns to ensure the highest level of compliance. 

A total of 1,228 inspections have been carried out so far, revealing an 89 per cent compliance rate. 

Guidelines released by Dubai Municipality for shisha services include: 

• Cafes must use single-use Shisha pipes only
• Shisha must be washed and disinfected deeply and the water used must be changed after each user
• It is not allowed for employees to test the Shisha before offering to the customer
• The periodicity of hygiene and disinfection must be increased in smoking area
• Provide containers for polluted waste at all main entrances and in common areas to dispose of their masks and gloves. Containers must be cleaned frequently
• Cafes need to maintain a distance of two meters between each table
• Limit of maximum five seats per table in smoking areas