UAE combats coronavirus: 'Dubai will remain the city of gold'

Dubai's iconic Gold Souk has started welcoming visitors to its jewellery stores following comprehensive disinfection campaign, and amid strict precautionary measures to ensure everyone's safety and well-being. On Wednesday, more than 500 shops have reopened for business with strict safety measures in place.

The reopening of the popular tourist destination on April 26 follows the easing of restrictions on movement in Naif and Al Ras and the announcement by the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG), the trade body for the gold and diamond jewellery sector, that market operations with resume with observance of the highest safety measures.

Precautionary Measures

Dubai authorities have left no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of customers and staff in retail outlets. Stores in the Gold Souq will follow reduced hours from 11am to 9pm and wholesale offices from 10am to 5pm. An occupancy ceiling of 30 per cent of capacity will be maintained for customers and employees as per safety guidelines. Precautionary measures observed by outlets include physical distancing within stores, provision of sanitisers, face masks and gloves to staff and customers and sanitisation of jewellery.

Tawhid Abdulla, Chairman, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group said: "We express our sincere gratitude to the leaders of this country, all government entities, Dubai Police, CID and first responders who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point. By reopening the Deira Gold souk with a strong focus on safe practices, the UAE leadership has once again shown that we can maintain our resilience amidst crises of any magnitude."

He added: "It is a commendable step towards safely reopening the economy and as an industry we are all geared to meet the Government's expectations and consumer confidence. It is our collective effort that has resulted in successfully implementing the retail protocol mandated by Dubai Economy in a manner that is both safe and effective, as we prepare to work towards 100% capacity in the coming months."

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers, prior to opening, the Deira Gold Souk and its stores underwent a complete and extensive sterilisation programme under the strict guidelines of the Department of Economic Development (DED).

High Security

During the 24-hour restrictions on movement in Al Ras and Naif, strict security measures by Dubai Police ensured the Gold Souk remained safe and protected. According to Dubai Police, there were zero reports of robbery attempts in the area despite owners leaving their jewellery and valuable goods inside the stores.

Shop owners have repeatedly praised the role of Dubai Police in keeping the area safe and secure and facilitating their requests to obtain documents and files during the closure.

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police, said since the beginning of the crisis, Dubai Police has provided the highest standards of safety and security to protect members of the community. Dubai Police has been working diligently to ensure lives and property are protected in these exceptional circumstances and precautionary measures are strictly followed.