The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy has shut down 26 shops, issued warnings to 234, and imposed penalties on 14 others for not complying with the precautionary measures to be adopted during the market re-opening phase in view of COVID-19.

The non-compliance, detected during inspections conducted by CCCP across malls and high street markets in the emirate, were mostly related to wearing face masks and gloves, social distancing, as well as opening trial rooms and conducting promotions, both of which are prohibited in the market re-opening phase.

While 165 of the high street shops inspected were found to have fully complied with the precautionary guidelines, 26 were shut down, 150 warned, and eight were fined for various violations.

The shops shut down are in Al Quoz, Al Nakheel, International City, Hor Al Anz, Satwa, Al Rafaa, Souq Al Kabeer, Karama, Al Qusais, Al Nahda, Frij Al Murar, Al Warqa, Rashidiya, Muteena, Abu Hail, Jumeirah, Al Wasl, Ras Al Khor, and they were engaged in various activities relating to furniture, general trading, electricals, document clearing,  technical services, tailoring, mobile phones, meat, plastic bags, textiles, car rental, electronics, car spare parts, sweets, and grocery.

In addition, eight shopping malls in Deira and Bur Dubai were also inspected and 84 outlets in those malls were warned for not having social distancing stickers and other precautionary measures in place while six were fined for opening trial rooms and conducting promotions.

The inspections started with the market opening time in the morning and lasted till the markets closed. Dubai Economy directed traders to comply with the COVID-19 precautionary measures, such as, wearing face masks and gloves, ensuring social distancing, and not conducting commercial activities between 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. during the National Disinfection Programme unless previous circulars exempted the activity from closing and allowed 24/7 operations.

Dubai Economy also called on consumers to report any non-compliance to the COVID-19 precautionary guidelines via the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google, and Huawei stores, by calling 600545555, or on the Consumerrights.ae website.