Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has updated precautionary measures for events and activities in the emirate. With effect from May 17, 2021, Dubai authorities have allowed live entertainment and related activities in cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls for a trial period of one month, which is extendable depending on the adherence to COVID-19 precautions.

The Supreme Committee has called on everyone to follow the latest precautionary measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, performers and entertainers are required to be vaccinated before participating in the live events to ensure everyone's safety amid the pandemic.

As per the revised protocols, all entertainment facilities and venues are directed to allow visitors at an increased capacity of 70 percent. Moreover, hotels are allowed to increase their visitors' capacity to 100 percent.

In addition, the Supreme Committee has reaffirmed that it is mandatory for everyone attending the entertainment events and activities to wear face masks and maintain minimum physical distancing of two meters in line with the necessary COVID-19 precautionary measures.

The Supreme Committee will be issuing permits for concerts, community sports events, and social and institutional events such as award ceremonies and gala dinners during the approved trial period of one month beginning from May 17. While the trial period is extendable, it is important for attendees and participants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and comply with precautionary measures which are mandatory as per the permit type.

Under the new protocols, fans and spectators attending the sports events are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Sports events can allow a maximum attendance capacity of 70 percent. After receiving the permit, sports and entertainment venues can allow 1,500 spectators for indoor events and 2,500 for outdoor events. It is important for all participants and attendees to follow COVID-19 precautionary measures.

Dubai's authorities have also allowed wedding events to take place in the emirate with a maximum attendance capacity of 100 attendees for wedding venues/hotels. At the same time, all attendees and staff must have received the COVID-19 vaccination prior to the event. For wedding events taking place at home, attendance has been capped at 30. All participants and attendees are required to follow updated precautionary measures, including wearing facemasks and maintaining physical distancing.

In restaurants, the maximum number of people allowed to sit at one table has been increased to 10. However, coffee shops are directed to allow a maximum of six people per table. Restaurants can resume brunches at their premises while complying with the updated precautionary measures issued by the authorities to combat the virus spread.

In its order, Dubai's Supreme Committee also stressed the importance of fully adhering to the revised precautionary measures for everyone's safety. The Supreme Committee noted that concerned authorities will continue to conduct inspections in establishments to ensure compliance with safety measures. It affirmed that violators to precautions will be fined with strict penalties.

The Supreme Committee underlined the significance of support and cooperation from all community members as well as their strict compliance with precautionary measures to allow a speedy return to normalcy in the city.

“Working together is key to ensuring the highest levels of health and safety in the community and preventing any setback to the efforts to curb the pandemic,” the Committee pointed out.

The Supreme Committee is closely monitoring and assessing the situation in Dubai in cooperation with the COVID-19 Command and Control Centre.

WAM