Coronavirus: Dubai fines 13 sports and shopping establishments for flouting rules

Inspectors conducted hundreds of visits over the past few days

People walk around in the Al Karama area of Dubai as life in the UAE beings to resemble pre-pandemic times. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

The country has got to grips with curbing the spread of Covid-19.

The UAE registered its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 infections in 20 months.

More than 100 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the UAE to date.

People wearing masks are out shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

The UAE's extensive vaccination campaign has been widely credited with helping to drive down case numbers.

New daily cases have remained below 100 for five weeks.

Authorities confirmed last week that 100 per cent of the eligible population had now received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

More than 90 per cent of the UAE population are fully vaccinated.

A masked worker pushes a trolley laden with water bottles in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

Social distancing stickers pasted at a bus stop serve as a warning to travellers in Dubai.

People shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

Dubai has fined 13 sports and shopping establishments for flouting Covid-19 rules.

Inspectors also warned another 19 during visits at the weekend to ensure compliance with guidelines.

Breaches included not wearing masks, failing to physically distance and not deploying distancing stickers.

Some of the shopping centres and markets were located in Umm Ramool, Al Muraqqabat and Ayal Nasir.

Inspections found that 656 shops and commercial establishments complied with the precautionary measures.

Authorities have been clamping down on businesses and individuals breaking rules designed to curb the spread of coronavirus amid a rise in cases.

The UAE on Sunday reported 1,041 new cases of coronavirus but no further deaths.

The emirate's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, has already ruled that bars and restaurants must stop providing entertainment by 1am to halt the spread of Covid-19.