Latest: Dubai to extend 24-hour stay-home order for another week
Dubai's government assured shoppers they will not have to hold up their permit to leave home when they arrive at supermarkets.
Dubai Economy, the department that regulates businesses, reassured customers that only police are in a position to check such documents.
The statement came after Union Coop, one of the country's largest chains, said staff would now check at entrances before allowing customers in.
It came as police tightened the rules surrounding the 24-hour stay-home order.
As of Thursday, residents can only apply for a permit to leave home once every three days. Journeys should be restricted to buying essential food and medicine only.
Last week, a senior police chief said officers were frustrated at "reckless" attempts to get around the order.
“We have seen many people who are not responsible and they don’t follow the humble requests from the government and the media to stay at home, said Col Saeed Al Hajeri.
"These reckless people are not only not following the orders they also set an example for others to follow their steps."
Police also urged residents to be careful when handling takeaways and food deliveries.
Residents should avoid contact with delivery drivers and takeaway bags should be dumped into a sink and all packaging discarded.
The life-span of the virus is estimated to be several days on plastic and about 24 hours on cardboard. Many restaurants have reassured customers that precautions are being taken, but police recommended careful handling, and washing hands after handling deliveries.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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