Coronavirus: Dubai’s latest COVID-19 rules for weddings, restaurants, gyms, concerts

Dubai has issued tighter restrictions on weddings, restaurants, gyms, and social gatherings amid a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Dubai Media Office announced on Friday.

Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.

In a series of tweets, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management outlines the new rules which include reducing the number of attendees at social events, increasing the required distance between tables at restaurants and workout equipment at gyms.

The decisions, which go into effect on January 27, are “due to an increased number of violations and non-compliance with precautionary and preventative measures,” the media office said in a tweet.

Weddings and social gatherings

Authorities have limited the attendees for weddings, social events, and private parties to a maximum of 10 first-degree relatives only. This rule applies to all events whether held at hotels, venues, or homes.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management mandates a new decision limiting attendance of weddings, social events, and private parties to first-degree relatives totaling a maximum of 10 people only, whether at a hotel or at home, effective Wednesday 27 January. pic.twitter.com/Zks2K3wXa9

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 22, 2021

Restaurants and cafes

Restaurants and cafes will be required to increase the distance between tables to three meters instead of two. The number of people allowed to sit at tables at restaurants will be reduced to seven instead of 10. Only four people will be allowed to sit together at cafes serving shisha.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management mandates new decision to increase the separation distance between tables at restaurants&cafes from 2 metres to 3 metres, reduce the number of people allowed to sit at one table from 10 to 7 at restaurants&to 4 at cafes. pic.twitter.com/qgISFHWQ6s

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 22, 2021

Gyms

The Dubai Economy and Dubai Sports Council have instructed gyms and fitness centers to increase the social distancing requirement between workout equipment and individuals to three meters instead of two.

To ensure public health and reinforce safety measures, @Dubai_DED and @DubaiSC directs the fitness centres and gyms to increase the physical distancing between the sports equipment and trainees from 2m to 3m. pic.twitter.com/ATTjqxPqD1

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 22, 2021

Concerts and live events

Concerts and live events being held in Dubai are not affected by the new rules as strict measures are enforced, the Dubai Media Office said, according to Dubai Tourism.

“[Dubai Tourism] confirmed live events being held in Dubai… are observing stringent precautionary protocols mandated by the authorities,” the media office said in a tweet.

. @dubaitourism confirmed that live events being held in Dubai including the concerts of Egyptian star Amr Diab at the Dubai Int’l Stadium & Enrico Macias at the Dubai Opera, are observing stringent precautionary protocols mandated by the authorities including

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 22, 2021

Organizers are required to ensure a two-meter distance between attendees and masks are required at all times.

“The capacity of the venues has been reduced according to the one-person-per-4 square meters rule,” the office said.

A series of concerts for artists including Egyptian star Amr Diab and Gulf star Majid al-Mohandes have taken place in Dubai as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), but strict measures were enforced.

ع د ?? @amrdiab pic.twitter.com/Lec4dGM5jP

— Y.Matar?✨ (@Yousefmatarr) January 23, 2021

Saudi Arabian artist Rashed al-Majed is expected to perform at the DSF closing concert on January 29 at the Coca Cola Arena.

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Last Update: Saturday, 23 January 2021 KSA 08:12 – GMT 05:12