Dubai Tightens Covid-19 Rules: All The Guidelines That Are Effective From 2 February

by Vaishnavi Venkataraman
Dubai Tightens Covid-19 Rules: All The Guidelines That Are Effective From 2 February

The covid-19 cases in the UAE are on the rise and to curb the situation, authorities have laid out a set of new rules. New guidelines were announced in various sectors including restaurants, hotels, weddings and cafes. From a cap on the number of people to do’s and don’t’s in restaurants, here are all the new Covid-19 rules you must be aware of in Dubai.

Also read: Kids Aged 16 And Above Now Allowed To Take Covid-19 Vaccine In The UAE

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced new set of precautionary measures against COVID-19. The new preventive measures measures will be effective from 2 February to 28 February 2021.

Hotels & Restaurants

Hotels and restaurants in Dubai will now operate at 70% of total capacity. New bookings should comply with the new capacity limit. In addition, Dubai also reduced the number of people per table in restaurants from 10 to 7. Only 4 people will be allowed to sit together in a table, in cafes. The minimum distance between tables has also increased from two to three metres.

Restaurants and cafes will be required to close by 1am. They will also not be allowed to organise any entertainment activities in their premises. In addition, bars and pubs will remain closed until 28 February.

Seated Indoor Venues

Seated indoor venues and cinema halls will now function at reduced capacity. Entertainment and sports venues in Dubai have reduced capacity to 50%.

Pools and beaches

The number of guests allowed inside swimming pools and private beaches in hotels will be limited to 70 per cent of total capacity.

Malls

Shopping malls will operate at a reduced capacity of 70 per cent.

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Gyms and other fitness centers have increased the distancing between sports equipment and trainees from two metres to three metres.

Weddings

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced a new decision limiting attendance of weddings, social events, and private parties to first-degree relatives totaling a maximum of 10 people only, whether at a hotel or at home, effective Wednesday 27 January. The new rules were announced as the country reported a record number of new Covid-19 cases.

Also read: Abu Dhabi Updates Covid Rules, Residents To Take Covid-19 Test 48 Hrs Before Entering The Capital

Covid Cases In The UAE On A Rise After Christmas And New Year’s Holidays 

In terms of covid, cases have spiked after Christmas and New Year holidays, rising from about 1,000 per day in late December to 3,500 per day. Not only the live entertainment, but the authorities have also issued an update to healthcare centres to cancel all non-essential surgery for a month. Well, with this, we can only wait and see what’s next.

Also read: Emirates & Etihad To Trial IATA’s Travel Pass For Covid Test Results & Vaccine Certificates