UAE Covid vaccine: Dubai eatery gets all staff jabbed

Dubai - The staff of Bol Gappa restaurant in Dubai’s Karama area received their second dose this month.

With the Covid vaccine rollout in full swing across the UAE, even small-scale restaurants and cafes are doing their bit to get their staff vaccinated.

Considering the tighter precautionary measures for food and beverage outlets, operators are going the extra mile to show their commitment to keeping the public safe.

A Bollywood-inspired restaurant in Karama, Bol Gappa, initiated a vaccination process among its staff in January. And this month, all its 13 staff members have already received both doses of the vaccine.

Hricha Saraf, partner at Bol Gappa, said: “Being in the F&B business, it is our prime duty to work towards the safety of our staff as well as our customers, and contribute efficiently towards a safer environment for everyone…This is why we got all our staff — from chef to waiters — their first dose on January 22. Their second doses were done this month.”

Saraf said all her staff members went to Al Ittihad Health centre for the jab. “The vaccination drive in UAE is being managed efficiently, despite its massive scale. Every single individual must support this government’s initiative wholeheartedly,” she added.

Bol Gappa is a small homegrown Indian fusion food restaurant in Karama.

Jyotish Kumar, a staff member, said: "We are glad that we work in a restaurant where our employer looks after our safety. All of us staff members are feeling very happy and at peace.”

Rajendra Singh, another staff member, said his family back home was relieved. "Previously, they were worried about my safety since we interact with customers. Hats off to our employer who got us all jabbed in time.”

Gautam Sarkar added: "In these tough times, to work without fear is a big blessing. The protection this vaccination has given us — both physically and mentally — helps us perform and serve better.”

saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai