Dubai suspends nonessential surgery as COVID-19 cases soar
The emirate is also pausing live entertainment at hotels and restaurants until further notice.
Dubai has put a hold on all nonessential surgeries and suspended live entertainment at hotels and restaurants amid a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) tourism capital.
During the last three weeks, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing closed down more than 20 establishments and issued more than 200 warnings to hotels and restaurants that weren’t complying with virus restrictions, the agency said on Twitter. The newly announced restrictions on entertainment activities, which begin Thursday, will last until further notice “to ensure public health and safety.”
Elective surgeries are also now on hold until Feb. 2, with the possibility of an extension. The decision to pause them, the Dubai health regulator said, is “in line with ongoing efforts to safe public health and manage the cases of COVID-19 virus and based on the current need of ensuring the preparedness of health facilities to provide the required health care.” Exceptions will be made at the sole discretion and assessment of the treating physician, the circular said.
The Emirati Health Ministry announced a record 3,529 new cases on Thursday, raising the total number during the pandemic to 267,258. The Gulf country has recorded 766 deaths from the virus — a relatively low death rate explained in part by the UAE’s young population.
