Dubai reopens malls, shopping centres

dubai — Detailed protocols are being put to place as Dubai has announced reopening shopping malls, public transport and commercial offices in the advent of Ramadan. Dubai’s Higher Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management has also announced a partial relaxation of the movement restrictions in the emirate.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority announced that public transport services in the emirate will start from Sunday, with restricted timings and precautionary measures.

The UAE Government has also decided to amend the timings of the National Sterilisation Programme from 10pm until 6am.

Safety in malls in Dubai

Malls and other retail spaces will have to follow strict hygiene measures. It was announced that malls would start functioning today with restrcicted working hours from 12pm to 10pm and a maximum of 30 per cent capacity. However, family entertainment halls, cinemas, dressing rooms and prayer rooms in shopping centres will remain closed.

The committee has also detailed all the health and hygiene protocols that commercial establishments would need to comply with in order to resume services. The decision is taken after reviewing the result of the successful National Sterilisation Programme.

Malls are ordered not to allow vulnerable people aged more than 60 years and children aged between six and 12 years.

Public safety

> The venues will be required to have a dedicated area on-site to isolate potential positive cases, and staff will need to be educated on both personal health safety as well as hygiene of the premises.

> Thermal scanners or cameras will need to be used for health checks to monitor any potential infected cases; however, this is only applicable to malls and not high-street retailers or souqs.

> Hand sanitisers will need to be installed and all visitors will be required to wear masks at all times in the mall. > Venues were directed to make electric doors operational at entrances, rather than manual ones, in order to reduce contact and contamination. They would also need to dedicate separate doors for entry and exit. > There will be no valet parking available in the malls and restaurants.

Customer trials and rights

Due to the risk of transmission posed by the trialling of fashion accessories and apparel by shoppers, the guidelines mandated that sanitisation procedures will need to be performed after each customer trial to ensure safety while maintaining consumer rights. No testing will be allowed for personal care products.

In addition, as part of a new mandatory policy, purchases can be returned or exchanged at all stores and outlets only if there is a defect. The committee also said that customers must be encouraged to pay through smart means (such as by credit or debit cards) as opposed to by cash. However, cash payments are valid and not to be rejected.

Restaurants and dine-in areas

Restaurants and cafés are allowed to operate normally but are not permitted to serve shisha and buffet. Dine-in customers are allowed but should occupy only a maximum of 30 per cent of the outlet’s capacity.

They must ensure the use of disposable, individually-wrapped plastic utensils, dishes or packages only. Surfaces such as tables and chairs must also be disinfected with 75 per cent alcohol after every customer’s use.

A two-metre physical distance should be strictly maintained between individuals. All diners and staff should wear masks.

However, restaurants are allowed to provide food delivery services between 10pm and 6am.

Malls in Abu Dhabi

According to a guideline issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) for malls and shopping centres an array of precautionary measures should be taken for the reopening.

Here are the measures that need to be adopted: > Working hours will be from 12pm to 9pm, except for supermarkets, pharmacies and money exchange houses which will be al- lowed to operate from 9am till midnight > Restrictions of commercial activities and services apply to gyms, cine halls and other entertainment avenues > Visitors are asked not to use common seating areas and prayer rooms > Malls and shopping centres have been asked to ensure the overall capacity doesn’t exceed 30 per cent