Coronavirus: Dubai's latest COVID-19 rules for weddings, restaurants, gyms, concerts
January 23, 2021, 10:42 am

Coronavirus: Dubai's latest COVID-19 rules for weddings, restaurants, gyms, concerts

General view of the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 21, 2018. (Reuters)

Dubai has issued tighter restrictions on weddings, restaurants, gyms, and social gatherings, the Dubai Media office announced on Friday, amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

In a series of tweets, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management outlines the new rules which include reducing the number of attendees at social events, increasing the required distance between tables at restaurants and workout equipment at gyms.

The decisions, which go into effect on January 27, are “due to an increased number of violations and non-compliance with precautionary and preventative measures,” the media office said in a tweet.

Weddings and social gatherings

Authorities have limited the attendees for weddings, social events, and private parties to a maximum of 10 first-degree relatives only. This rule applies to all events whether held at hotels, venues, or homes.

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352678447756275714

Restaurants and cafes will be required to increase the distance between tables to three meters instead of two. The number of people allowed to sit at tables at restaurants will be reduced to seven instead of 10. Only four people will be allowed to sit together at cafes serving shisha.

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352683664753229825

The Dubai Economy and Dubai Sports Council have instructed gyms and fitness centers to increase the social distancing requirement between workout equipment and individuals to three meters instead of two.

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352699183212474372

Concerts and live events being held in Dubai are not affected by the new rules as strict measures are enforced, the Dubai Media Office said, according to Dubai Tourism.

“ confirmed live events being held in Dubai… are observing stringent precautionary protocols mandated by the authorities,” the media office said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352646915817668608

Organizers are required to ensure a two-meter distance between attendees and masks are required at all times.

“The capacity of the venues has been reduced according to the one-person-per-4 square meters rule,” the office said.

A series of concerts for artists including Egyptian star Amr Diab and Gulf star Majid al-Mohandes have taken place in Dubai as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), but strict measures were enforced.

https://twitter.com/Yousefmatarr/status/1352791512401240066

Saudi Arabian artist Rashed al-Majed is expected to perform at the DSF closing concert on January 29 at the Coca Cola Arena.

source: Joanne Serrieh

Image source: Reuters

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.