Dubai government has placed a ban on shisha pipes as the UAE capital continues to take steps to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also issued a nation-wide ban on the smoking of shisha.
A circular sent by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) instructed all tourism establishments to “refrain from serving shisha in all areas and facilities”.
They said: “In line with prevention measures for coronavirus, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development directs all licensed restaurants and shisha cafes across Abu Dhabi to cease providing shisha in their facilities.”
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Addressed to general managers of tourism and hotel establishments in the emirate, the circular said the ban would start with immediate effect and DCT teams will be carrying out inspection visits to make sure businesses are adhering to the new regulations.
The ruling includes hotels, coffee shops and is effective immediately.
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Also on Thursday, the Dubai Media Office confirmed that Dubai would see similar control measures for two weeks.