No need for screens in Dubai eateries during fasting hours

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy) on Sunday issued a circular stating that restaurants in the emirate will not have to screen visible dining areas during fasting hours in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers without putting in place curtains, dividers or facades as has been the mandatory practice previously.

Restaurants are also not required to obtain a permit for serving food to customers during Ramadan fasting hours.

The new circular replaces circulars issued in previous years that have required restaurants to block dining areas from the sight of those who are fasting.

The new circular will come into effect from the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Moon sighting: The UAE moon-sighting committee will meet virtually on Monday, after the Maghreb prayer under the chairmanship of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice to indicate the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Shariah courts nationwide will follow up and inform the committee of any sightings, while the Lunar Calendar Committee at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will continue collecting evidence and informing the Moon-Sighting Committee with the findings.

Sharjah govt departments: The Sharjah Human Resources Directorate (SHRD) announced the work hours for the Holy month of Ramadan in government departments in the Emirate of Sharjah, starting at 9.00 and ending at 14.00.

It has further said that the departments, agencies and institutions operating the shift system will determine the beginning and end of the work hours according to the work requirements.

On this occasion, the department congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Supreme Council Members, Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates, and the people of the UAE and the Arab and Islamic nations.

DHA Ramadan timings: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on Sunday announced the Ramadan timings for all DHA hospitals, DHA COVID-19 screening and vaccination centres, DHA administration, primary health centres and medical fitness centres.

The working hours for the DHA administration will be from 9:00 to 14:00 from Sunday to Thursday.

Hospitals and health centres will work as per shift timings and medical practitioners will be on call to ensure work continues as usual. Emergency departments at all DHA hospitals will operate around the clock.

Latifa Hospital’s specialist outpatient clinics will be open from Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00, while the Dubai Hospital outpatient clinic will work in two shifts: 8:00 to 13:00 and 13:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. At Rashid Hospital, the outpatient clinic will be open from 8:00 to 13:00 on weekdays.

Hatta Hospital outpatient clinics will work from 8:00 to 18:00, and will resume work from 20:00 to 22:00. The Hatta Hospital administration will operate from 8:00 to 13:00.

COVID-19 Vaccination Centres will provide vaccinations from 9:00 to 16:00 and from 21:00 to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday, vaccinations will be available from 9:00 to 16:00. The centres will only be open during the morning slot (9:00 to 16:00) during the last ten days of Ramadan, and will be closed on May 7 and 8.

Ma’kom in Ramadan: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), represented by the Health Education and Promotion Department, has launched the “Ma’kom in Ramadan” programme, which aims to highlight the most important healthy habits and food practices that have to be maintained in the Holy Month, raise health awareness of community members, and help them opt for healthy foods.

The programme is packed with a host of online initiatives and activities, including public health online workshops, “Cooking with chef Ma’kom” initiative which highlights the healthy ways of cooking Ramadan meals.

The programme includes preparing healthy meals and recipes by social media influencers, Ramadan competitions, and the “Gym with You “ initiative, which includes organising physical training online by sports coaches.

WAM