Actress held in Dubai for violating COVID-19 rules

DUBAI: The Dubai Police have arrested an Arab actress (M.H) for organising two birthday parties at two different restaurants for a number of guests in a closed place. This was in violation of the resolution No.38 of 2020 issued by the Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates on enforcement of penalties for violations following Cabinet Resolution No.17 of 2020 to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigations at Dubai Police, confirmed that they arrested the violator when she posted a video on her Snapchat account of the crowded party where she and her guests have disregarded the social distancing and wearing masks rules.

The Director of Dubai CID further noted that resolution No.(38) for 2020 states that a fine of Dhs10,000 is applicable to whoever invites or organises gatherings, meetings, private and public celebrations or is present in groups at public places or private farms.

Brigadier Al Jallaf stressed that the Dubai Police won’t tolerate violators of the announced precautionary measures against COVID-19.

“These measures have been put in place to protect members of the community and curb the pandemic.”

“We call upon all tourism companies, local businesses and community members to support efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, maintain social distancing, and refrain from organising or attending crowded events that could contribute to spreading the virus,” Brigadier Al Jallaf concluded.

Earlier, inspections teams form the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) Sector in Dubai Economy conducted 673 field visits to various markets and commercial centres in the emirate to verify compliance with the precautionary measures in place to combat COVID-19, WAM reported.

Following the inspections, Dubai Economy in co-operation with Dubai Tourism, ordered a cafe to shut down ater the singer was found not wearing a mask and customers didn’t adhere to physical distancing. Penalties were imposed on seven businesses and warnings issued to five others for non-compliance while 660 businesses were found to be fully compliant with the precautionary guidelines.

The violations were spotted across various commercial centres, and shops in the International City and Bada’a, including retail stores and a grocery apart from outlets trading in building materials and ready-made garments. Lack of commitment to wearing masks and non-adherence to physical distancing were the main violations spotted. The warnings went to establishments that failed to place the physical distancing stickers as required.