Dubai: The Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection (CCCP) Sector in Dubai Economy closed down 11 shops, issued fines to 252 and warned 61 during the month of March 2021 for violating COVID-19 safety guidelines.

The violations, found during inspections conducted across open markets and shopping centres in the emirate, were mostly related to wearing masks and physical distancing.

Abdul Aziz Al Tannak, Director of Commercial Control in Dubai Economy, said: “Dubai Economy has intensified inspections and in March, we found that 16,475 stores across the emirate fully complying with the precautionary guidelines. It represents an exceptional 98.1% commitment overall to preventing COVID-19.

“Dubai Economy will continue the inspections along with our various partners and will not tolerate any violation or malpractice detected or reported by the public. Businesses should strictly adhere to precautionary measures, such as, wearing masks and gloves, and maintaining social distancing.”

Dubai Economy also urged consumers to report any negative phenomena or practice that violate the precautionary guidelines against COVID-19 through the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google and Huawei stores, by calling 600545555 or on the Consumerrights.ae website.