Soon, countries like the United Kingdom and Israel that had sent droves to Dubai over the winter holidays closed their travel corridors, citing alarm over the UAE's spike in infections. As late as Tuesday, the sheikhdom's government-run media office was vigorously insisting things were under control. In a statement, the emirate said it "continues to maintain the highest levels of protection against the pandemic and compliance with preventive measures".
But on Thursday, Dubai's tourism department announced it had "observed, through field inspection, an increase in the number of violations during entertainment activities".
Although bars and restaurants would remain open for the time being, Dubai's media office said it would pause the issuance of new entertainment permits to venues effective immediately to ensure "public health and safety." The office said it issued more than 200 violations for "non-compliance" with Covid-19 guidelines and shuttered 20 establishments over the past few weeks.
In a circular sent to business partners, Dubai's tourism department said the ban only applies to live bands at restaurants, bars and beach clubs and that private events and wedding parties, currently capped at 200 people, could continue as normal. The statement said failure to comply with health measures would result in "serious actions", without elaborating. It gave no time frame for the resumption of entertainment activities.
The pandemic shows no signs of abating. The UAE on Thursday shattered its infection record for the 10th consecutive day, with 3529 cases reported. The country does not release location data for infections, making it difficult to determine where in the federation of seven sheikhdoms has been hardest hit by the virus.
With its health centres well-staffed and 90 per cent of its population comprised of relatively young and healthy expatriates, the UAE has so far avoided the chaotic scenes of overwhelmed hospitals seen elsewhere. The country has recorded more than 267,000 infections and 766 deaths.
The UAE has rolled out the second-fastest coronavirus vaccination campaign in the world, trailing only Israel. The country, which offers the vaccine made by Chinese state-backed firm Sinopharm to everyone over the age of 16, says it seeks to vaccinate more than half the population of 9 million by the end of March.
On Thursday the UAE also approved Russia's Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use, citing "results of its effectiveness", without elaborating. Other countries have been reluctant to approve the Chinese and Russian vaccines, saying their efficacy announcements lack reliable data and other critical details.
Dubai also offers the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved by Western regulators with an efficacy rate of about 95 per cent. But given supply constraints, it's available only to residents over 60 and those with chronic health conditions.
Dozens of residents hoping to get the Pfizer-BioNtech jab descended on Dubai's World Trade Centre on Thursday after a state-linked newspaper published a report saying the centre accepted walk-ins regardless of age and other priority criteria. Some appeared ready to wait for hours even as Emirati health authorities in traditional dress tried to get them to leave.
- Associated Press
