UAE’s residents can start preparing for the launch of their favourite pastime – the opening of malls in the country. The main authorities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have issued guidelines on what retailers and mall visitors can expect and the precautions they will need to maintain until the COVID-19 shutdown.
The opening dates remain to be confirmed later, but at the moment, mall managements and directors have clear guidelines to comply with. According to the new guidelines, shopping malls, high street stores, souqs and wholesale markets will be allowed to operate with the capacity limited to 30 percent.
More mall measures from the guideline:
• Working hours will be strictly limited from 12:00 PM to 21:00 PM
• Seniors above 60 years old have no entry
• Visitors are obliged to wear masks and gloves
• Food courts and elevators are also limited to 30 percent of capacity
• Cash payments are valid, but customers are advised to use smart payments (credit cards, Apple Pay and other)
• Visitors should keep a 2-meter distance in all public places
After a month of closed malls as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, UAE officials announce that “…businesses can reopen after they have complied with the guidelines and protocols”. However, gyms, cinemas, prayer rooms, public seating areas, and other entertainment venues will still be closed.
Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus which is causing illness in humans and animals. Most people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus will feel mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without any special treatment. Older people, as well as those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, and require immediate assistance. Novel Coronavirus was first identified in a cluster with pneumonia symptoms in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, quickly spreading around the world. On early March 2020, the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic had officially started, becoming the defining global health crisis of our time. Today, it is the greatest challenge people have faced since World War II, worsened by subsequent lockdowns of whole countries, collapse of entire industries, and a major economic recession.