Dubai closes café; fines 7 businesses, warns 5 for flouting Covid-19 guidelines

A Dubai café was forced to shut shop after the singer was found not wearing a mask and customers seen not adhere to physical distancing, authorities have confirmed.

Furthermore, penalties were imposed on seven businesses and warnings issued to five others for non-compliance, while 660 businesses were found compliant with the precautionary guidelines.

These actions followed 673 inspections conducted by the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy on September 18 at various markets and commercial centres in the emirate. Following the field visits, Dubai Economy in co-operation with Dubai Tourism, levied the fines.

The violations were spotted across various commercial centres, and shops in International City and Bada’a, including retail stores and a grocery as well as outlets trading in building materials and ready-made garments.

Lack of commitment to wearing masks and non-adherence to physical distancing were the main violations spotted. The warnings went to entities that failed to place the physical distancing stickers as required.

The field visits are targeted to ensure that businesses, employees, and customers complied with the precautionary guidelines laid out to tame the spread of the virus and to enhance awareness among the public.

As many as 12 commercial establishments, including retail outlets in various shopping centres, sewing and embroidery shops, and fitness centres were slapped with fines as a consequence of field visits carried out on September 15.

Read: Dubai fines 12 businesses, warns 5 for flouting Covid-19 safety measures

Dubai Economy called on everyone to contribute to preserving the emirate’s achievements in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also called on consumers to report any non-compliance via the Dubai Consumer app, by calling 600545555, or on the consumerrights.ae website.