The Government of Dubai and Dubai Tourism has announced that all bars, pubs and lounges in the emirate will be closed until the end of March to restrict further cases of Covid-19.
A notice sent to businesses reads: "In line with Dubai Government Precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its residents and visitors; Dubai Tourism notifies all bars, pub and lounges (including bars within restaurants) to close with immediate effect from today (Monday, March 16, 2020) [until] the end of March.
"Dubai Tourism will continuously evaluate the situation in coordination with the health authorities."
The notice was issued by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to hotels in the emirate on Monday, March 16.
A representative for Dubai Tourism confirmed to The National that restaurants in Dubai will remain open.
This morning, McGettigan's Irish pubs announced that they would be closing "until further notice".
The move comes days after Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism announced that nightclubs in the capital would be closed with immediate effect.
A series of high-profile events have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks, including K-pop concerts Music Bank and the Super Concert, Ultra Abu Dhabi music festival and the Dubai International Boat Show. A shisha ban has also been enforced and Dubai has closed theme parks, cinemas and gyms, while Abu Dhabi has closed all cinemas, beaches and parks, as well as Louvre and other major attractions.
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Read more:
Coronavirus: everything you need to know about Covid-19 in the UAE
Coronavirus: Dubai closes theme parks, cinemas and gyms
Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi closes Louvre and other major attractions
Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi closes all cinemas, beaches and parks
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