The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority has announced it was temporarily closing beaches and other public areas, including parks, movie theatres and gyms, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Restaurants and cafes, however, could remain open if they provide a home-delivery service and limit client capacity to 20%, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said on Twitter. A physical distance of two metres between customers, in addition to other sanitation and public hygiene measures, must be ensured. Outdoor and self-order kiosks are exempted, it added.
The new measures are coming into effect today (Sunday) and would remain in place for two weeks, pending review, it added.
#UAEGov ordered limiting the seating capacity of restaurants and food and beverages outlets to 20 percent, as per the social distancing guidelines. The order is valid for a renewable period of two weeks, effective Sunday, March 22nd.
— UAEGov (@uaegov) March 21, 2020
Earlier in the week, the beaches and parks were open but residents were advised to keep a 2 metre-distance from one another.
The two authorities have urged all relevant federal, local, and private institutions to ensure compliance with these decisions as per the law and to roll out all necessary guidelines to boost public awareness of the new measures.
