Dubai closes restaurants, a fitness centre and a salon for ignoring Covid-19 rules

Six premises were ordered to shut as authorities close the net on rule-breakers

Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi reopened in August last year after a five-month closure. Victor Besa / The National

People fish using social distancing precautions by Business Bay Bridge in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A man buys balloons at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. All shops and malls have safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff. Victor Besa / The National

Shoppers maintain physical distancing and wear face masks at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National

A shopper looks at face masks at Lulu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A sign reminds people visiting The Pointe shopping centre on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, to wear face masks. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai residents wear face masks during their evening walk in The Gardens. Pawan Singh / The National

Socially distanced maghrib prayers in Al Khair Masjid in Dubai in July 2020. Reem Mohammed / The National

Visitors to Al Wahda Mall wear face masks. Victor Besa / The National

Four restaurants and cafes, a salon and a fitness centre were shut down and 15 businesses fined for flouting Covid-19 rules as Dubai authorities carried out thousands more safety inspections.

Dubai Municipality caught out 44 premises ignoring regulations following 2,540 visits on Monday and issued 76 warnings.

Officials said 2,415 establishments were found to be abiding by precautionary measures introduced to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Closure orders were slapped on two restaurants in Al Rigga and Muhaisnah and two cafes in Jafza and Umm Suqeim, a salon in Al Satwa and a fitness facility in Mirdif.

Dubai's Department of Economic Development (Ded) fined 10 businesses - six retail outlets and four gyms in Nadd Al Hamar - during a tour of open markets and shopping centres on Monday.

Eight were penalised due to their employees' lack of commitment to wearing face masks and the other two failed to adhere to physical distancing practices.

The gyms were monitored as part of a joint campaign with Dubai Sports Council.

Field inspection teams also warned 11 other commercial facilities for not placing physical distancing stickers as required.

The inspections conducted by Ded found 643 shops and other commercial outlets were fully compliant with regulations.

The department imposed fines on five venues and warned another three during its latest inspection of markets and shopping centres on Tuesday.

The outlets fined, based in Nadd Al Hammar, Port Seed and Naif, were penalised after it was discovered workers were failing to wear masks when necessary.

The offending traders carry out various services, including air-conditioning installation, textiles and fabrics.

The warnings were issued for not placing physical distancing stickers as required.

Overall, inspections on Tuesday found that 680 shops and establishments fully complied with safety measures.

Ded reiterated the need for businesses to uphold safety measures to support the emirate's economy.

It called on people to report rule-breakers on the Dubai Consumer app, by visiting the Consumerrights.ae website and by calling 600 54 5555.

At a regular media briefing held on Tuesday, members of the public and businesses were urged to be accountable in the fight against Covid-19 by respecting laws in place to combat the virus.

The UAE recorded 24,894 Covid-19 offences between September 1 and September 15.

The largest number of infractions took place in Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah.

“The UAE government is keen to safely normalise activities in various sectors by involving all members of the community in this responsibility,” said Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

All individuals and institutions must follow the guidelines, he said.