Coronavirus: Hotels in Dubai should close by 3am under new rules

Dubai - Restaurants in Dubai have been asked to restrict the number of people in each group to eight individuals per table.

Venues and conferences in Dubai will have to wind up their activities by 1am at the latest.
The emirate's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), issued a circular on Thursday stating that all entertainment activities are to conclude by 1am.
The authority also informed hotel establishments that food and beverage services should be strictly suspended after 3am, including the closing of venues. "This is with the exception of delivery and room services," added the circular, which cautioned outlets to adhere to the new guidelines with immediate effect.
Praveen Shetty, chairman and managing director of Fortune Group of Hotels, told Khaleej Times: "We welcome this decision. It is a necessary measure to curb the Covid-19 numbers. Bigger crowds usually visit entertainment venues during weekends. I suggest these measures be enforced strictly on those days."
Eight on a table, 5 for shisha
Restaurants in Dubai have been asked to restrict the number of people in each group to eight individuals per table in a general restaurant and five individuals per table in case of a shisha cafe.
"Dubai Municipality amended the protocol and guidelines for food establishments in a manner that ensures everyone's safety and meets their entertainment needs," read a tweet from the authority's official Twitter handle on Friday.
As per the new guidelines, restaurants and cafes must make sure that mask mandates and social distancing protocols are followed by customers, irrespective of the nature of the group they are in, which includes members of the same family or otherwise.
Outlets must ensure visitors wear face masks at all times, except while eating. "Outlets should also have a defined social distance plan by keeping tables two metres apart from each other or by introducing temporary isolators," tweeted the authority.
"These amended guidelines are a good sign as it hints that tourist season is coming and more people may come to restaurants. We need to make proper arrangements and stay vigilant to serve people in a better and safer environment," said Zubin Mithaiwalla, partner of Cafe Funkie Town.
It's a good thing to be monitored, he added. "We are glad to be inspected by the authorities regularly. We see a good footfall and need to be extra careful in our sanitisation and safety measures."
(With inputs from Saman Haziq)
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai