Dubai restaurants do not require to screen off dining areas during Ramadan fasting hours

Restaurants in Dubai do not require to screen off their dining areas during the Ramadan fasting hours.

The directive was issued by way of a circular to establishments in the emirate from the Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy) on Sunday.

It stated that restaurants are also not required to obtain a permit to serve food to customers during the Ramadan fasting hours.

The new circular replaces circulars issued in previous years that have required restaurants to block dining areas from the sight of those who are fasting, reported state news agency WAM.

The directive will go into effect effect from the first day of Ramadan which is expected to begin this week.

Previously, all restaurants were required to raise screens or curtains to cordon off and segregate dining areas that were open to only non-fasting members of the community.

During Ramadan, restaurants, cafés, shisha cafés and hotels in Dubai have been directed to close by 4am.

Recently issued guidelines by the Dubai Municipality added that food outlets should stop taking food orders by 3am during the holy month.

The guidelines, based on the recommendations of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management with regards to Covid-19 protocols said that teams from Dubai Municipality will carry out intensive inspection campaigns to ensure the compliance, with penalties imposed on those who flout the rules.