The crackdown on businesses flouting COVID-19 rules continues and this time, authorities have fined three more outlets and shut down a swimming pool, the Dubai Economy said on Monday.

The authority said at least three commercial establishments have been slapped with fines by the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) for their staff’s “lack of commitment” to wearing face masks, while four others received a warning for non-compliance with the coronavirus precautionary measures.

The latest violators are retail outlets in Dubai and they have been asked to pay a fine of 3,000 UAE dirhams each, a source told Zawya.

The Dubai Economy also shut down a swimming pool at a sports facility after inspectors found it did not display physical distancing stickers.

Authorities have recently beefed up the monitoring of business premises around the emirate after a surge in coronavirus cases. Last Saturday, the number of people who were found positive for coronavirus went up to more than 1,000, said to be the highest in four months.

The violations, along with the positive cases, started to pile up months after Dubai lifted the lockdown and allowed businesses to reopen. The emirate also lifted the suspension of international flights and welcomed foreign visitors, in hopes of reviving an economy battered by the pandemic.

Other violators

A department store was earlier shut down and asked to pay a hefty fine of 50,000 UAE dirhams for not adhering to the safety protocols, while establishments in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Mirdif City Centre and Festival City Mall, among others, were given warnings.

In the latest round of inspections, at least 670 shops and commercial establishments were found to have fully complied with the precautionary measures.

In a statement, the Dubai Economy pointed out that public health is a top priority and that those who will be found violating precautionary measures will face a “stern action.”

“The disciplinary action is meant to be a deterrent against any violation or abuse,” the authority said.

(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)

Cleofe.maceda@refinitiv.com 

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© ZAWYA 2020