Dubai Tourism Suspends Live Entertainment

Dubai Tourism has suspended live entertainment in hotels and restaurants after hundreds of coronavirus violations of guidelines at venues, closing down 20 establishments, authorities revealed.

The hospitality industry was sent a circular by Dubai government’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTM), ordering venues to suspend bands, DJs, dancers and live entertainers performing in hotels and restaurants.

It comes after Covid-19 cases rose to a record high with 3,506 new cases of Covid-19, from 162,945 tests. It also followed a rare move by the government of Dubai issued a statement to rebut a media reports portraying the city as a party destination despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Dubai’s media office tweeted: “During the last three weeks, Dubai Tourism have issued more than 200 violations of noncompliance with guidelines and closed down around 20 establishments. “To ensure public health and safety, all entertainment permits issued will be on hold effective immediately. Dubai Tourism will continue to evaluate the progress with the health authorities.”

While recognising that the suspension would hit some venues harder than others, hospitality industry operators said the new ruling would be supported. Dubai has started a massive free vaccination campaign, with the UAE so far administering over 2 million vaccine doses, covering a fifth of its population.

In its statement, the government of Dubai Media Office reitereated the emirate continues to maintain the highest levels of protection against the pandemic and compliance with preventive measures.