• A Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's International Financial Centre district. AFP
    A Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's International Financial Centre district. AFP
  • A masked falconer entertains tourists at Dubai's historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. AFP
    A masked falconer entertains tourists at Dubai's historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. AFP
  • Cove Beach at Caesars Palace, Dubai. Reuters
    Cove Beach at Caesars Palace, Dubai. Reuters
  • Fitness enthusiasts in Dubai return to gyms as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Fitness enthusiasts in Dubai return to gyms as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Coronavirus vaccine shipment arrives at Dubai International Airport. AFP
    Coronavirus vaccine shipment arrives at Dubai International Airport. AFP
  • The number of joggers has increased steadily along Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island in recent months. EPA
    The number of joggers has increased steadily along Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island in recent months. EPA
  • A nationwide vaccination and screening drive in Dubai has been credited for helping to limit the spread of Covid-19. Dubai Media Office
    A nationwide vaccination and screening drive in Dubai has been credited for helping to limit the spread of Covid-19. Dubai Media Office
  • Temperature scanners at Dubai International Airport are one of several measures introduced by the emirate to help detect Covid-19 among travellers. AP
    Temperature scanners at Dubai International Airport are one of several measures introduced by the emirate to help detect Covid-19 among travellers. AP

Government

Dubai closes 32 food outlets for breaching Covid-19 rules this year

Authorities took action against companies for breaking protocols on social distancing and wearing of masks

The National

February 16, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai authorities temporarily closed 32 food outlets and issued warnings to a further 472 for flouting Covid-19 rules this year.

Dubai Municipality said its inspectors had carried out 5,841 visits in 2021 to establishments such as restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure they were following safety measures.

Traders are allowed to operate during the pandemic in line with a series of coronavirus regulations governing hygiene, wearing face masks and social distancing.

"The most prominent violations that were detected were non-compliance with social distancing, and not wearing personal safety equipment such as masks and gloves during food preparation, as well as not using approved sterilisation and disinfection materials,” said Sultan Al Taher, head of food inspection at the municipality.

He said awareness of public health requirements among owners and staff had risen since the department's last round of inspections.

During their visits to the premises, municipality inspectors monitor worker hygiene, the recording of cleaning operations and the preparation and storage of food.

Members of the public were urged to report breaches to the municipality through its hotline, 800 900.

A popular restaurant in Dubai owned by a celebrity chef was among those shut for breaking Covid-19 safety regulations last week.

CZN Burak Dubai was penalised on Friday after a spot check by the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Dubai Municipality.

The Turkish restaurant was back open on Sunday, following changes to its coronavirus safety measures.

Its owner and chef Burak Ozdemir posts cooking videos on social media and has more than 20 million followers on Instagram.

The restaurant in Downtown Dubai told The National that large numbers of diners had visited the restaurant in recent months, because of its online popularity.

The restaurant said it had reduced the number of seats inside and outside the venue and had been conducting weekly PCR testing of staff.

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Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
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3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
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Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar 

3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m 

Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard 

4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly 

4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m 

Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi 

5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000  T) 1,000m 

Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi 

6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m 

Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson  

UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

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Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri

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Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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