The UAE News: Dubai Municipality said on Sunday that it has issued fines and shut 25 food outlets in the last 45 days until mid-October.
The action was taken because of non-compliance of guidelines set for coronavirus. More than 1,500 food establishments have been warned during the 45-day period, according to the Dubai Municipality.
It is said that the food outlets in Dubai show full commitment to the set procedures and requirements of the Municipality to confront Covid-19 recently compared to last month, said Sultan Al Tahir, Director of Food Inspection Section.
Al Tahir said that the Dubai Municipality inspectors conducted more than 10,000 field visits to food outlets in the emirate during the past 45 days, and witnessed that more than 8,400 food outlets had complied to the health authorities’ guidelines to stop coronavirus outbreak. On the other hand 25 food outlets were fined and shut for not following the set procedures and guidelines.
He mentioned that social distancing was the top most violation followed by not wearing personal safety equipment including face masks and gloves while cooking food. In addition, they were not using the approved materials.
He said that the decision to shut the violating food outlets is temporary until they removed the causes of violation and rectify wrong things.
Al Tahir also said that the Dubai Municipality inspectors during the field visits check the daily follow-up records of health workers in addition to sterilization and disinfection record. All these to check and make sure that food safety requirements are being met including receiving materials, food preparation and storage.
He mentioned that the Dubai Municipality officials go and check all food outlets in Dubai with activities including restaurants, cafeterias, cafes that provide food, groceries, supermarkets, and bakeries in addition to inspecting and monitoring delivery vehicles.
