Certain food stores allowed to operate in Dubai, outlets fined for inflating face mask prices

Certain food outlets will be allowed to operate in Dubai in line with the latest regulations issued by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, Dubai Economy has confirmed.

The authority announced that meat, fruits, vegetables, roaster, mills, fish, coffee, tea trading stores can operate from 8am in the morning to 8pm in the evening.

Meanwhile only trading stores for nuts, chocolates and sweets located in shopping malls can operate, it said.

Stores have been advised to adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures such as sanitisation and social distancing.

Inspections will be conducted by the authorities to ensure compliance, Dubai Economy said.

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Clarifications on food outlets#خلك_في_البيت #الإمارات #دبي #اقتصادية_دبي#UAE #Dubai #DubaiEconomy #DubaiDED #DED #DepartmentOfEconomicDevelopment #Economy #stayhome pic.twitter.com/CcFyHNiqHX

— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) April 13, 2020

Dubai Economy also confirmed that five pharmacies in Al Quoz 1, Al Mizhar, Al Warqa 1 and Al Sabkha as well as a supply company, a supermarket and a trading company have been fined for “taking advantage of the present circumstances by inflating the prices of face masks”.

A factory that sold goods at inflated prices through e-commerce platforms was also fined, it said.

The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in Dubai Economy received complaints from consumers against all those fined.

“To confirm the situation, the concerned team has examined the situation closely through inspection campaigns and revealed that the merchants have committed the aforementioned violations,” it stated.

It urged retailers to avoid taking undue advantage of the present situation and also warned of stricter punishment for repeat offenders.

A repeat offense would result in a doubling of the fines and may lead to the closing down of the outlet.

— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) April 13, 2020