Fighting coronavirus: Malls extend timings as Dubai reopens on May 27

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Some shopping malls in Dubai will operate from 10am to 10pm from May 27 when the emirate reopens most business activities, as per the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management's decision on Monday.

According to sources, not all shopping malls in Dubai will extend timings and that the decision will be taken by the management of each mall. Even community malls will decide their own extended opening hours.

"It depends on the management of each mall. But some malls have said that they will extend the timings till 10pm from Wednesday."

According to Al Futtaim Malls, Dubai Festival City Mall and Festival Plaza will be open from 10am to 10pm starting May 27 until further notice. Majority of the stores at both centres will follow these hours.

Novo Cinemas and Fitness First will re-open on Wednesday - with other entertainment concepts such as the new BounceX at Dubai Festival City Mall to open in the coming days.

Some malls have sent out notifications to their tenants about the new timings. However, they were unsure whether all the outlets will adhere to the new timings.

"We have informed clients about the timings, but it is their decision."

Oasis Mall told Khaleej Times that it will also operate from 10am to 10pm from Wednesday, while Carrefour will be operating from 8am to 12pm midnight.

Rules and Regulations applied

Hygiene protocols include mandatory face masks for everyone.

Starting tomorrow (May 27), malls in Dubai can operate at 70 per cent of their capacity, according to a Dubai Economy circular seen by Khaleej Times. Until today (May 26), they are allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity.

According to the document, malls can remain open between 6am and 10pm. Hygiene protocols include mandatory face masks for everyone, mandatory 2-metre social distancing for patrons and a rigourous sterilisation routine by the operators and mall tenants.

Here is a list of operational changes at malls in Dubai from May 27:

1. Increase in occupancy ceiling to 70 per cent of common areas and gross leasable areas, and an increase in capacity level of staffing to 70 per cent

2. All mall operators must synchronise their protocols and measures with the reopened establishments within the malls to ensure maximum safety measures are aligned and followed

3. Malls and retail outlets can choose their most preferred operating hours, anytime between 6am and 10pm

4. Mall operators shall synchronise all their processes and procedures with the facilities and establishments reopening inside the mall

5. Only 30 per cent of the mall parking to remain closed (this has changed from the earlier 70 per cent)

6. All elevators must have markings on the floor that indicate social distancing and users must comply by standing on these markings. Priority is given to persons with special needs and pregnant women.

7. High-risk individuals are not permitted to enter the mall, including:
* Children under 12 years, and children of any age-groups with medical conditions
* Elderly above 60 years old
* High risk individuals with medical conditions [applicable to all age groups]

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