All hotels and restaurants operating in Dubai are to suspend entertainment activities with immediate effect, the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has confirmed.

The directive was issued by virtue of a new circular sent by DTCM to all owners and managers of hotel establishments and restaurants.

The cessation of entertainment activities comes into effect from today, Thursday, January 21, until further notice, suggesting that dancers, singers, DJs etc. will not be allowed to perform at any restaurant or hotel across the emirate in the imminent future.

DTCM did not state the duration of the suspension of such activities.

“The department will continuously assess the new situation with the health authorities. We appreciate your constant cooperation and value your efforts to serve the public good and protect the health and safety of society,” the circular read, as seen and reported by Whatson.

The decision follows a string of field inspections within these establishments that flagged multiple infractions that took place while entertainment activities were in progress. The ruling forms part of DTCM’s efforts to ensure that all operators within the tourism sector adhere to precautionary measures to stem the tide of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a directive issued this week, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) also suspended elective surgeries with effect from January 21 to February 19 in a bid to prioritise Covid-19 care.

Read: Dubai suspends non-urgent elective surgeries for one month

The UAE reported 3,506 additional Covid-19 infections on January 20, its highest ever daily spike in new cases since the pandemic broke out early last year.