Coronavirus: UAE eateries accept just 20% of dine-in capacity

Dubai - A quick spot-check showed that tables were pulled apart and only a few customers were served at the same time.

New guidelines issued by the UAE on Saturday make it mandatory for restaurants to accept only 20 per cent of their seating capacity for dine-in to ensure that tables have at least a 2m distance between them.

A quick spot-check at many restaurants in Dubai on Sunday showed that tables were pulled apart and only a few customers were served at the same time.

Madhav Shreshta of Stefano's Café at Dubai Marina said the restaurant has taken extra precautionary measures. "We have already rearranged the tables - both indoors and outdoors. There are not many clients during the day. In the evenings, we are discouraging big groups from sharing a single table. Staff at the restaurant are using sanitisers to clean the tables after each guest."

A supervisor at Bateel Café in Dubai said they are strictly adhering to the government regulations. "There is no compromise on safety and hygiene. Since this morning, we have already removed some tables to ensure there is a 2-metre distance between seatings."

Anisha Verma, Creative Director, The Royal Orchid Group of Restaurants, said they have gone "above and beyond" the usual hygiene standards. "We have sanitised all our outlets and all staff are trained daily on maintaining safety. Tables, doors, counters, chairs and floors are cleaned frequently. We are trying to do as many deliveries as possible. We understand that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures," said Verma.

K. Muraleedharan, Chairman & Managing Director of India Palace Restaurant, said all table linen are washed with hot water for "optimal disinfection" and changed for each seating.