The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy has shut down 9 shops, issued warnings to 176, and imposed penalties on 18 others for not complying with the precautionary measures to be adopted during the market re-opening phase in view of COVID-19, while 504 outlets were found fully compliant.

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 fitting rooms and conducting promotions, both of which are prohibited in the market re-opening phase.

While 354 of the high street shops inspected were found to have fully complied, 9 were shut down, 74 warned, and 11 were fined for various violations.

The shops shut down are in Dubai Marina, Satwa, Al Rafaa, Souq Al Kabeer, Karama, Hor Al Anz, Al Fahidi, Al Ras, Sabkha, Al Dhagaya, Al Warqaa, Bani Yas Square, Al Qusais, Ras Al Khor, Naif, Khaled bin Al Waleed, Um Suqeim, Bastakiya, International City, Al Awir, and their activities included wedding services, car accessories, spare parts trading, mobile phones trading, and electronics repair.

In addition, nine shopping malls in Deira and Bur Dubai were also inspected. While 150 outlets in the malls were found to be fully compliant, 102 were warned for not having precautionary measures, such as social distancing stickers, in place. Seven were fined for opening fitting rooms and conducting promotions, both of which are prohibited presently.

The inspections start with the market opening time in the morning and last 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.