Dubai issues precautionary measures for reopening of smoking, shisha serving areas on July 18

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Dubai - They will be allowed to reopen from July 18.

Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Sat 18 Jul 2020, 4:46 PM

Last updated: Fri 31 Jul 2020, 9:59 AM

With enhanced precautionary measures, such as constant sanitisation and mandatory masks, establishments that serve shisha in Dubai are all set to re-open on July 18, announced Dubai Municipality (DM).
The authority made the announcement on its social media platforms on Friday stating, "Dubai Municipality has issued precautionary measures to re-open smoking areas and shisha serving centres starting July 18 until further notice, as per highest international preventive measures. Regular inspections will be conducted to ensure the compliance."

View this post on Instagram
. ????? #?????_??? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ?????? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ????? ?? 18 ????? ?????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ??? ????? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ?? ????????. ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????. #??????_????? #??????_???? . #DubaiMunicipality issued the precautionary measures to reopen smoking areas and shisha serving areas starting from 18th of July until further notice, per the highest international preventive measures and regular inspections will be conducted to ensure the compliance. Visit our website for more. #We_are_all_responsible #FutureIsBetter
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Earlier in March, UAE had instructed cafes and food establishments to stop serving shisha to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The Municipality's Health and Safety Department issued a circular on July 17 titled 'Reopening Precautionary Measures for Re-opening Smoking Areas and Shisha Serving Areas', a copy of which Khaleej Times has seen. As per the circular, DM has issued a strict 51-point safety measures to ensure safety and avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
The safety measures include:
- Staff should wear masks at all times
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and common areas at least once every hour and shared objects each time they used (handrails, slides, tubes, lockers, counters, toilets, etc.)
- If anyone of the staff was confirmed positive according to the Covid-19 PCR test by an accredited test facility, they are not to return unless they are granted a medical certificate (clearance certificate) endorsed by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) stating they are discharged from isolation
- Shisha staff must adhere to strict hand washing routine before and after service
- All staff and guests/ trainers/ visitors must go through temperature screening before entering the facility, anyone with temperature more than 37.5 won't be allowed to enter the facility
- If a stable case of illness is detected among visitors or staff presenting Covid-19 symptoms such as fever more than 37.5-degree Celsius, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhoea and nausea, headache, loss of sense of smell or taste, the DHA hotline number 800342 should be contacted by the facilities designated health officer
- The facility must dedicate an isolation room and set procedures to handle Covid-19 suspect/ confirmed cases as well as the disinfection procedures as per DHA/ DM guidelines
- Only disposable shisha hoses must be used
- Clean and disinfect reusable shisha parts including tongs before and after each client
- Wash and disinfect shisha properly and changing its water after each client
- Ensure 2 m distancing measure is maintained throughout the establishment
- Ensure 4.5 sq.m per person inside the smoking room
- No social gatherings or parties allowed
- Groups of five are not allowed at the smoking area

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com