A popular restaurant in Dubai owned by a celebrity chef was shut down on Friday for breaking Covid-19 safety regulations.
CZN Burak Dubai was closed after a spot check by the Department of Economic Development, in partnership with Dubai Tourism and Dubai Municipality.
The Turkish restaurant said it is due to reopen 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 have visited the restaurant in recent months, due to its online popularity.
"Unfortunately, with the warm welcome and popularity of CZN Burak, the restaurant has been overwhelmed with the numbers of guests visiting," it said.
"With Chef Burak being a famous and loved celebrity, it has been a bit challenging for the restaurant to control the crowds who came to greet and meet him in person."
The restaurant said it has reduced the number of seats inside and outside the venue and has been conducting weekly PCR testing of staff.
"[We] take this as an opportunity to implement better and stricter safety measurements to ensure the compliance with the local government regulations," it said.
"The restaurant will reopen on Sunday and the staff will make sure that all diners remain seated during their entire dining experience."
The department's actions are part of a campaign in Dubai against rule-breaking businesses.
The Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Economy closed two sports establishments and issued fines to seven other facilities for failing to enforce Covid-19 measures and safety guidelines.
Another six venues were issued warnings.
For months, the authorities have been sending out teams of inspectors throughout the emirate to ensure businesses are following social distancing and other Covid-19 measures.
Last weekend, an operator was fined Dh50,000 ($13,612) for holding a desert party with several hundred guests.
In a video posted on the Dubai Police Twitter page, it showed a blatant breach of the Covid-19 rules.
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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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