‘No Vaccine – No Entry’ Rule as Dubai Eases Entertainment Restrictions

Dubai will become livelier – particularly for those who’re vaccinated. DJs, musicians and artists can get back to work. Brunches are back and bars can re-open as the Emirate eases Covid-19 restrictions. A ‘no vaccine – no entry’ rule applies in certain circumstances though.

The Government of Dubai updated its precautionary measures for events and activities on Monday 17 May, with immediate effect. The new guidelines impact cafes, restaurants, bars and concerts. The new guidelines will stand for a month-long trial period. The trial period is extendable. Here’s what you need to know:

• Physical distancing of two metres and face masks remain mandatory.
• Entertainment venues can operate at 70% capacity.
• Restaurants can resume brunches.
• Restaurants, cafés and shisha cafés must close by 1am.
• Bars can reopen. Staff and visitors must be vaccinated.
• Entertainment activities allowed. Entertainers must be vaccinated.
• Maximum of 10 people can sit at a table in a café, restaurant or bar.
• Maximum of six people can sit at a table at shisha venues.
• Concert permits will be issued. Performers and attendees must be vaccinated.
• Indoor event capacity is 1500 people.
• Outdoor event capacity 2500 people.

Reaction

Local artists are embracing the new ‘no vaccine – no entry’ rule. DJ and promoter Lobito Brigante said: “This is the fastest way for everyone to move forward. It’s vital for restarting the music and events industry.”

Bull Funk Zoo founder Assaad Lakkis commented: “This is a logical step to open up live entertainment and still keep the public safe. In the end, the country is trying to minimize Covid-19 cases and this is a precautionary procedure.”

Gary Tierney, from The Boxtones, said: “The return of live music is great. We’ve been writing so much over the past 16 months and can’t wait to unleash our new material in a live environment.” He’s backing the ‘no vaccine – no entry rule’ in crowded environments, claiming it “makes sense”.

“Covid spreads through crowds. It’s only logical then that the thing that stops the spread should be mandatory so we can get back to dancing, shouting and singing together,” said Gary. “It’s up to each person if they want to take the vaccine, of course. Not being vaccinated and joining large crowds could send us all backwards instead of forwards. Dubai is leading the way. Let’s get back to gigging safely.”

The Boxtones’ Louise Peel said: “A year of no work has been hard financially and mentally. The loss of earnings has been hard for all musicians. Many have left Dubai because they couldn’t sustain life here without gigs. The Boxtones are all vaccinated. We’re ready to head back to work. If taking a couple of shots means we can get back to what we love then I’m all for it.”

Inspections

The UAE has overseen the second-fastest vaccination campaign in the world. At the time of writing, the country had administered almost 11.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management stressed the need for the community to fully adhere to the updated precautionary measures. Authorities will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the new measures. Violators will face stiff penalties.

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