Dubai is further loosening restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak as the emirate slowly and steadily restarts its economy and grants businesses more freedom to operate.

The Dubai Economy  (DED) issued an updated list of guidelines and protocols on Tuesday, stating that shopping malls will be able to resume normal operating hours after Ramadan, from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 10 am to midnight on weekends.

In its latest circular seen by Zawya, the Dubai Economy also said that effective on Tuesday, the restrictions on sales and promotions are lifted while changing and fitting rooms can now open under certain restrictions.

The “no refund/ return policy” at retail outlets will also be removed, on condition that returned items will be sanitized and set aside for 24 hours prior to putting back on display.

The DED circular stated that the updated set of guidelines and protocols are to be followed by commercial establishments from May 12.

In March, the UAE government imposed one of the strictest lockdowns to contain the spread of coronavirus, shutting down all public venues and commercial establishments outside the essential category. Offices sent their workers home and residents in Dubai were required to obtain a move permit to be able to step outside the house.

In late April, the government decided to loosen restrictions, allowing malls and other retail outlets to reopen.

The DED, in its latest circular, said that commercial establishments will still be required to keep occupancy and staff capacity levels of up to 30 percent, while 75 percent of the mall parking has to remain shut.

Restaurants, cafes and other food and beverage outlets will also need to keep capacity levels at 30 percent and ensure social distancing rules are observed, particularly in seating arrangements and placement of tables.

Children under 12 years, children of any age-groups with medical conditions, as well as elderly customers above 60 years old and high-risk individuals with medical conditions (regardless of age) will still not be permitted to enter the malls.

For offices, office buildings and social welfare services, normal operating hours will resume after Ramadan. They will also be required to maintain occupancy limits of up to 30 percent in common areas and within office premises.

Offices should also maintain a capacity level of staffing to 30 percent. Pantries and coffee stations can be reopened for the staff, but users should maintain social distancing of two meters.

Dispensing machines are not allowed, while the use of disposable utensils is required.

Below is the full text of Dubai Economy’s updated guidelines and protocols for business reopening, effective May 12, 2020:

Wholesale and Retail Trade

All previously announced protocols for "stage 1 economic activities" to be maintained, plus the following amendments:

  • During Ramadan: operating hours for malls are set at 10 hours daily, starting 12 pm and ending at 10 pm
  • Post Ramadan: normal operating hours for malls, recommended Weekdays: 10 am to 10 pm and Weekends: 10 am to 12 pm (note: malls to adhere to curfew timings announced by Federal Government)
  • Maintain occupancy ceiling to 30% of common areas and gross leasable areas, maintain capacity level of staffing to 30% • 75% of the mall parking to be closed
  • F&B outlets and food courts maintain 30% capacity, and ensure social distancing rules implemented such as seating arrangements and maintain placing tables 2 meters apart for all customers or set up separators/screens between tables. Take-away highly encouraged
  • Elevators are only used by persons with special needs (e.g., disabilities, baby stroller) with 30% capacity maintained
  • Categories not permitted to enter the mall include:
  • 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]
  • “No Refund/Return Policy” restriction to be removed, conditional to make items sanitization and set aside for 24 hours before being sent or used by another customer.
  • Restrictions on sales and promotions lifted
  • All changing and fitting rooms can open under the following restrictions:
  • Customers must wear masks all the time
  • Each customer can try up to 5 items only in the store
  • Customers to spend a maximum of 10 minutes in the fitting room
  • Returned items not to be put back on the shelves or used by other customers, they must be put aside by the retailer for 24 hours
  • Continuous sterilization of the fitting rooms to be performed

Offices/Office Buildings & Social Welfare Services

All previously announced protocols for "stage 1 economic activities" to be maintained, plus the following amendments:

  • 6 hours operating during Ramadan and normal operating hours post Ramadan, while adhering to curfew timing
  • Maintain occupancy ceiling to 30% of common areas and within office premises
  • Maintain capacity level of staffing to 30%
  • People permitted in elevators no more than 30% capacity
  • Pantries can be opened for usage by individuals strictly for food and drink consumption maintaining a 2m social distancing and must use disposable utensils (total number of employees at one time inside the pantry must be clearly posted at the entrance)
  • All coffee stations should follow 2m social distancing guidelines and queuing is avoided, no water dispensing machines allowed, the stations to be sanitized after every use or once every hour at minimum.

(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)

cleofe.Maceda@refinitiv.com

#Dubai #Malls #Ramadan #DED #Coronavirus

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