DUBAI: Dubai has cut the number of people allowed in shopping malls and hotels as part of new measures to halt a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections.
From Tuesday, bars will close and cinemas, cafes and restaurants will also face restrictions.
The measures come as the UAE is increasingly concerned by the rise in cases since December.
The Emirates on Monday recorded nine deaths and 2,730 new coronavirus infections from the previous 24 hours. While the figures have reduced from last week’s record highs of almost 4,000 cases a day, they remain far higher than in May when the UAE entered a strict lockdown.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces new set of precautionary measures against COVID-19. https://t.co/JhZbm7wIDt pic.twitter.com/RBs2HIWdsd

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2021

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said the new measures, that will be in place until the end of the month, were taken in response to “daily reports (that) have shown a marked increase in the number of violations being committed.”
Indoor seated venues such as cinemas and sports arenas can now only operate at half their capacity, while hotels and shopping malls must cut the number of visitors to 70 percent.
Pubs and bars have closed completely and restaurants and cafes must close by 1 a.m.
The committee said it would intensify inspection visits and tougher penalties would be imposed on violators.

Part of the daily inspection campaigns carried out by Dubai Municipality teams at shopping centers, which include salons, cafes, cinemas and other recreational facilities to ensure full compliance with precautionary and preventive measures against Covid-19. @DMunicipality pic.twitter.com/eANtCBZFYX

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 1, 2021

The public have been encouraged to report any violations by individuals or businesses to Dubai Police.
“Enforcing preventive protocols and observing health and safety guidelines remains the most effective method to combating the virus,” the committee said.
The total number of cases in the UAE since the pandemic began had reached 306,339, while the death toll is now 859.
But the Emirates has been one of the fastest countries in the world to roll out its vaccination program.
The health ministry said 106,615 people were vaccinated in 24 hours and that the total number of doses administered had reached 3.448 million.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait reported 586 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total in the country to 165,843.

⁩ ⁧#⁩ COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/Yq7rMJhMtO

— (@KUWAIT_MOH) February 1, 2021

Oman’s health ministry confirmed 198 new cases and three deaths, bringing the national totals to 134,524 and 1,524, respectively.

#Statement No. 279
February 1, 2021 pic.twitter.com/0PsBaccMeG

— (@OmaniMOH) February 1, 2021

In Bahrain the death toll stands at 376 after one new death was reported. The number of confirmed cases in the country increased by 525.

Out of 11755 COVID-19 tests carried out on 1 February 2021, 525 new cases have been detected among 240 expatriate workers, 280 new cases are contacts of active cases, and 5 are travel related. There 401 recoveries from #COVID19, increasing total recoveries to 99000 pic.twitter.com/GjbpwnGXu9

— (@MOH_Bahrain) February 1, 2021