Authorities in Dubai have announced restaurant tables must be placed two metres apart to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection.
Under the guidelines, officials also said customers should not be kept in waiting areas prior to being seated.
“Seating tables should be spaced to ensure two metres at least in between,” a statement by Dubai Municipality said.
“Regular inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance.”
The new regulations, issued by Dubai Municipality on Tuesday, will remain in force until further notice.
Earlier this week, the Government of Dubai announced that all bars, pubs and lounges in the emirate would be closed until the end of March.
But a spokesman for Dubai Tourism confirmed to The National that restaurants in the emirate would be allowed to remain open.
Officials said disposable plates and cutlery should be used unless dishwashing machines met “disinfection temperature requirements”.
And new regulations also stipulated buffets should be closed permanently, and that tables must be cleaned as soon as diners leave.
“Do not allow entry of any customers or employees with flu symptoms,” the announcement also said.
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An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images -
A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images -
One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National -
An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters -
A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP -
A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters -
An empty beach in Dubai. EPA -
People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP -
Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA -
A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP -
A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP -
A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters -
A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP -
Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters -
An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg -
A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters -
A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National -
Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP -
A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters -
A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg -
A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg -
A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg -
UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam
