The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy has shut down 19 shops, issued warnings to 165, and imposed penalties on two others for not complying with the precautionary measures to be adopted during the market re-opening phase in view of COVID-19, while 505 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 365 of the high street shops inspected were found to have fully complied, 19 were shut down, and 90 were warned.

The shops shut down are in Dubai Marina, Satwa, Al Rafaa, Souq Al Kabeer, Karama, Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail, Al Ras, Sabkha, Al Dhagaya, Warqaa, Bani Yas Square, Qusais, Ras Al Khor, Naif, Khaled bin Al waleed, Um Suqeim, Bastakiya, International City, Awir, Al Fahidi, Port Saeed and they were engaged in various activities relating to laundry, opticals, tyres, electronics, building materials, studio, advertising and marketing, printing and copy services, tailoring, travel and tourism.

In addition, nine shopping malls in Deira and Bur Dubai were also inspected. While 140 outlets in the malls were found to be fully compliant, 75 were warned for not having precautionary measures, such as social distancing stickers, in place. Two were fined for opening fitting rooms and conducting promotions.

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.