By Here’s news we didn’t want to hear. All entertainment activities in hotels and restaurants throughout Dubai are suspended until further notice under a new directive from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The DTCM directive is effective immediately. That means no DJs or live music this weekend, at least.
DTCM issued the new directive to owners and managers of hotel establishments and restaurants throughout the Emirate. It follows an upsurge in the number of positive Covid-19 cases in the UAE.
Violations
The directive reads: “The Department observed through field inspections an increase in the number of violations during entertainment activities in hotels and restaurants. Accordingly, the Department directs all concerned in hotel establishments and restaurants to temporarily hold entertainment activities as of Thursday, January 21, 2021, until further notice.”
The directive adds: “The Department will continuously assess the new situation with health authorities.”
Blow
While not surprising given the increase in Coronavirus cases, the move is a blow for Dubai’s entertainment and nightlife scene. Although proper clubbing remained a no-go, the Emirate’s entertainment sector was slowly but surely making progress. While adhering to strict government measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, of course.
On 10 December, DTCM eased several measures. Lifting the previous 1am cut-off, it allowed entertainment in hotels and restaurants to continue until 2am. DTCM also permitted full bands to return to the stage – if they remained socially distanced. Several nightlife venues licensed to serve food pivoted away from clubbing to provide a food and beverage experience soundtracked by DJs. Dubai was seeing an uptick in the number of international DJs coming to town to play.
However, Coronavirus cases in the UAE have doubled in recent weeks. This follows an influx of tourists into Dubai over the Christmas and New Year period. On Wednesday, 20th January, state news agency WAM reported 3,506 new Coronavirus cases. The spike in cases coupled with venues violating Covid-19 precautionary measures was never going to spell good news.
While we understand DTCM’s motives behind the temporary suspension of entertainment in hotels and restaurants, we’re gutted for our DJ and musician friends too.
