Coin-op amusements news | Covid-affected Dubai tightens up on family entertainment

The sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 infections in Dubai since the Christmas and New Year holidays has led to a fresh crackdown by the authorities.

While FECs and theme parks are not yet closed, the measures include closing down pubs and bars, increasing testing for airline passengers and bringing in penalties for running private parts and events. The closures will last for the whole of February.

The municipality has started to run daily inspections with teams at shopping centres, including salons, cafes, cinemas and entertainment facilities, to ensure full compliance with precautionary and preventative measures.

Shopping malls – the main venues for FECs – have to operate at a reduced capacity of 70 per cent. Audience capacity of seating indoor venues, including cinemas is reduced to 50 per cent. Hotels are at 70 per cent limits. Restaurants and cafes have to close by 1am and are banned from organising any entertainment activities in their premises.