Sunday, May 28, 2017

Dubai: Ramadan tents in Dubai hotels are permitted to serve shisha only after 9pm, a senior Dubai Municipality official has said.

Redha Hassan Salman, director of Public Health and Safety Department, said Ramadan tents are allowed in four-star hotels and above for serving shisha.

“During iftar time, shisha is not allowed, especially as there will be families and children. It can be served only after 9pm,” he told Gulf News.

However, restaurants and cafeterias that already have permits to serve shisha are exempted from this rule. They can serve shisha during iftar time in designated indoor areas.

Food outlets with shisha permit are not allowed to serve shisha during the daytime even if they have special permission to deliver food.

“Hotels can use separate facilities for this such as a ballroom, but only after they have completed the safety requirements,” he said. “There should be enough ventilation and capacity to accommodate more people and fully separated from the main building. They must compulsorily have all Civil Defence approvals.”

Ramadan tents should also take permits from the planning and building departments in the municipality before applying for the health and safety permit.

Salman said his department has received 28 requests for Ramadan tents. All except one had been approved.

“The application was rejected because the hall did not meet the conditions for indoor ventilation and air conditioning,” said Salman.

Whether in tents or food outlets, the use of disposable pipes for shisha is mandatory during Ramadan as well. Failure in complying with health and safety rules will result in fines, followed by the closure of the shops if violations are repeated. Inspections will be intensified during Ramadan to ensure health and safety at the tents.

The public can report violations to Dubai Municipality’s call centre by calling the toll-free hotline 800900.

By Sajila Saseendran Senior Reporter

Gulf News 2017. All rights reserved.