Government authorities in Dubai ordered a restaurant in Dubai to be closed down after a free-meal promotion led to a surge in visitors, breaching Covid-19 safety measures.
The restaurant located in Satwa, which authorities did not identify, faced sanctions for breaking social distancing guidelines after large crowds turned up to take advantage of the free offer.
Restaraunt that Offered Free Meals in Dubai Shut Down by Authorities
The closure order was imposed by Dubai Economy’s Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector (CCCP), reported the National.
In a statement, the Dubai Economy said: “A restaurant in Satwa was ordered closed by CCCP [on Thursday], after their distribution of free meals led to passers-by gathering in front of the store, disregarding physical distancing guidelines and causing congestion.”
Authorities in the UAE are surveying the city to catch premises that fail to abide by Covid-19 regulations.
On Thursday (September 10), the authority has ordered for the closure of a department store after holding a flash sale that drew large crowds into the outlet.
Moreover, the Dubai Economy fined the business AED 50,000 after a video of shoppers spilling out onto the street on Wednesday made rounds on social media.
. @Dubai_DED announced that a café in AlKarama area has been closed for a month, and fined following the spread and circulation of a video on social media platforms that showed its lack of commitment to the precautionary measures set to limit #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/D6pDPSgrAK
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 12, 2020
The agency, which regulates trading standards said that it would not be “lenient in any way” with retailers who violate social distancing measures.
The government emphasized that returning to normal trading meant businesses and shoppers must be “cautious, not reckless”. This means that retailers, staff, and security guards should be responsible for managing shoppers and adhering to Covid-19 rules.
In line with this, the authority with the cooperation of the Dubai Sports Council also imposed an unspecified fine on a fitness center for failing to comply with physical distancing regulations, particularly in the reception area.
A lack of compliance with the wearing of masks by employees was also cited as a cause for the financial penalty.
Meanwhile, teams from the Dubai Economy are carrying out regular checks across the emirate, including at open markets and commercial centers, to ensure safety rules are being followed.
The inspection on Thursday alone revealed that 578 stores fully complied with the precautionary measures and guidelines.
The Dubai Economy also urged consumers to report any non-compliance to the Covid-19 precautionary guidelines via the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google, and Huawei stores, by calling 600545555, or on the Consumerrights.ae website.
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