Coronavirus: Dubai closes 53 food outlets in first three months of 2021 over safety breaches

In addition to regular monitoring, inspection teams carry out a number visits based on reports received from consumers

Dubai municipality carried out 13,775 inspection visits to food establishments to ensure they were following safety measures. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Municipality closed 53 food establishments and issued warnings to a further 1,133 for breaching Covid-19 rules during the first quarter of this year.

The municipality carried out 13,775 inspection visits to food establishments to ensure they were following safety measures.

Ninety per cent of food outlets, 12,438, were found to be complying with Covid-19 safety requirements, said Sultan Al Taher, head of the food inspection section at the municipality.

The municipality said the most common breaches detected were failure to adhere to social distancing, failure to wear personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves during food preparation, and not using approved disinfection materials.

It said inspection campaigns would continue throughout Ramadan to ensure that food establishments meet the standards required for transporting, storing, preparing and displaying food products and materials.

Mr Al Taher said in addition toregular monitoring visits, inspection teams carry out checks based on reports received from consumers.

Ramadan 2021: in pictures

People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA

Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National

Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National

Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images

An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images

Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National

Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP

A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty

A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images

Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National