VIDEO: Dubai shuts down desert camp, operator fined Dhs50,000, participants slapped with Dhs15,000 each

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai has shut down a desert resort on Monday for violating the COVID-19 precautionary measures set up by the authorities.

The authorities have been strict with enforcing rules in the emirate as COVID-19 cases tend to rise in the past few days. 

Dubai Media Office said, “The Dubai Police, in cooperation with Dubai Tourism, shuts down a desert camp that organised a private gathering while violating Covid-19 precautionary measures.

“The camp operator was fined Dhs50,000 while each participant was fined Dhs15,000.”

A video published by media office showed people without facemasks are holing up in close proximity with each other. An official said it was a clear violation of  Covid-19 measures.

On Sunday, the Dubai Government Media Office stated via Twitter that Dubai Police seize and issues violations of Dhs50,000 for several people who held a private party in a commercial yacht without committing to social distancing and wearing masks, and the entity’s licence of the yacht was suspended for a month.

Social gatherings and private parties have been the main cause of the surge in coronavirus cases in the UAE.

The authorities said that private parties and meetings are responsible for the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, in January urged everyone to follow the precautionary measures and social distancing guidelines to curb the spread of the virus.