The circular issued by the Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality is effective from March 16 and the exact expiration date has not yet been specified.
All venues are required to prevent employees with symptoms of colds from entering work. The owners are also obligated to ensure that guests of the cafe or restaurant also do not have such symptoms, as this could potentially be dangerous for others. There are also restrictions on the possible distances between the tables. This distance should not be less than two meters.
Disinfection requirements are also increased. All surfaces in a restaurant or cafe, including tables after each group of visitors, must be not only thoroughly washed, but also disinfected. If the place is characterized by queuing, then this must be avoided. Large crowds should not form indoors. Open buffets, access to which has a large number of visitors, are completely prohibited.
The circular also covers another frequent route of transmission of infections and viruses – reusable dishes. To serve customers, venues need to use only disposable tableware. This also applies to establishments that serve only drinks, such as coffee houses, they must serve drinks in disposable cups. However, if the dishes are washed in automatic dishwashers, with a heating temperature sufficient for disinfection, then food can be served on reusable dishes.
Failure to comply with the rules will be punishable by law. Inspections of such venues will be carried out regularly and the place will be closed or the owner will be fined.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus which is causing illness in humans and animals. Most people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus will feel mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without any special treatment. Older people, as well as those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, and require immediate assistance. Novel Coronavirus was first identified in a cluster with pneumonia symptoms in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, quickly spreading around the world. On early March 2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic had officially started, becoming the defining global health crisis of our time. Today, it is the greatest challenge people have faced since World War II, worsened by subsequent lockdowns of whole countries, collapse of entire industries, and a major economic recession.