Dubai announced Thursday that hotels and restaurants would no longer be able to feature live music, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

"To ensure public health and safety, all entertainment permits will be suspended," the Dubai Government Media Office said in a tweet.

The office confirmed that "during the past three weeks, Dubai Tourism issued more than two hundred violations for non-compliance with the precautionary measures, and closed about twenty facilities."

A number of hotels in the country confirmed to Agence France-Presse that they would continue to serve customers, but indicated that it was no longer permitted to carry out entertainment activities such as shows or DJs.

The Dubai Health Authority also announced Thursday that all hospitals have been instructed to "suspend all elective surgeries (medically unnecessary) until Feb. 19."

Life seems normal in Dubai, as no closure or quarantine has been imposed. Malls, beaches and restaurants are crowded with visitors.

At the same time, everyone must wear masks and maintain social distancing, with the country enacting penalties for violating these rules.

The UAE has witnessed a significant increase in cases since the beginning of the new year, with more than 3,000 cases recorded daily.

The UAE has so far provided more than two million doses of coronavirus vaccines to citizens and residents, according to official figures.