It is expected that businesses and commercial activities will resume soon in the UAE in a phased manner.

Dubai Economy has come out with guidelines and protocols for reopening. Similar guidance has been issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development concerning malls in the UAE capital.

"Once the reopening is announced, businesses can reopen after they have complied with the

guidelines & protocols and ready to receive customers/resume operations," Dubai Economy said.

All businesses must be on standby for official announcements on the date of reopening and timings.

Dubai Municipality, Dubai Economy (Corporate Compliance and Consumer Protection Sector) and other relevant government departments will reach out to provide additional guidelines and instructions as and when required, Dubai Economy said in its guidelines and protocols document.

Key guidelines for whole sale and retail trade

  • Customers entering a shopping mall are required to wear a mask and pass a coronavirus health check under new guidance issued from the Dubai government for when premises are allowed to reopen.
  • Social distancing should be maintained.
  • Visits will be limited to three hours per person. Elderly people above 60 and children aged 3-12 not allowed.
  • Malls can operate at 30 per cent capacity in stage one after reopening.
  • Customers are encouraged to pay through smart payments (credit cards/ debit cards over cash). Cash payments are still valid and not to be rejected.
  • Ensure availability of dedicated cleaners in restrooms to sanitize the toilets per usage.
  • Ensure dedicating electric doors rather than manual doors at entrances to reduce contacts and contamination. There should be dedicated separate doors for entry and exit.
  • F&B (in case of dine-in) outlets should reduce seating arrangements to 30 percent and maintain placing seating and tables 6+ ft apart for all customers.
  • Stores & F&B dine-in to hang red tag at front door indicating maximum number of allowed customers inside. To be calculated based on 4 feet per customer.
  • 75 percent of the mall parking to be closed.
  • Jewelry items tried by customers to be sanitized properly or quarantined in case sanitization is not possible due to fear of damaging the jewelry.
  • No testing allowed for personal care, retailers are not allowed to implement ‘No Return Policy’ for sale of personal items.
  • Fashion, accessories & wearable apparel trial pose transmission risk. Sanitation measures must be performed after each customer trial.

(Writing by Seban Scaria; Editing by Mily Chakrabarty)

(seban.scaria@refinitiv.com)

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