Covid vaccine: Dubai restaurants offer discounts for jab takers

Dubai restaurants have begun offering discounts to customers who have been inoculated against Covid-19.

“Spread love, not Rona,” say social media fliers for three restaurants run by Gates Hospitality, offerings a 10 per cent discount to residents who have taken the first dose of a vaccine and 20 per cent for those who have taken two.

Diners must show proof of inoculation, such as a medical certificate, to get the discount.

While some people welcomed the move, it raised eyebrows on social media.

“There’s two ways to look at it, either it’s another marketing stunt, or a genuine motivation to get more people vaccinated,” said one tweet.

Meanwhile, ride-sharing app Uber has also announced that it will offer discounted rides to people looking to receive Covid-19 vaccination in the UAE, in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.

Riders will be able to avail 25 per cent off two Uber rides, up to Dh20 each to and from public vaccination centres across the UAE. The rides will commence from January 25 until February 8 for people of all ages and nationalities.

The UAE's vaccine is not mandatory; however, a national vaccination campaign is encouraging citizens and residents to take the jab for free in order to help protect the community and return it to normalcy.

Also read: PCR test exemptions, other perks for takers of UAE Covid vaccine

The UAE began mass inoculations in December after approving vaccines made by Chinese firm Sinopharm and US drugmaker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. Recently, it also approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use.

In Abu Dhabi, vaccinated employees of some sectors need not take a Covid-19 test every 14 days.

The same exemption applies to teachers and other staff at Sharjah’s private schools.

Meanwhile, fully vaccinated employees of the UAE ministries; and federal, Abu Dhabi and Ajman government departments are exempted from a mandatory Covid-19 test every seven days.

No Covid-19 test result will be required for inpatient visits in Abu Dhabi either.