Dubai malls and private sector allowed to operate at 100% capacity from today
- 03 Jun 2020
Inayat-ur-Rahman, Senior Business Reporter
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai, headed by Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, announced that shopping malls and the private sector can operate at 100 per cent capacity starting Wednesday, June 3, 2020.
Working hours for companies and operating hours of malls should fall within the timings permitted for public movement, which are currently between 6:00am and 11:00pm.
According to the Committee, shopping malls have the freedom to choose any set of operating hours within the period in which public movement is permitted.
The Committee said the decision is part of the gradual reopening of economic activities in the emirate and efforts to restore normalcy, while ensuring precautionary measures are strictly enforced to protect the safety and well-being of employees, visitors and customers at shopping malls and companies.
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The move aims to ensure the private sector is able to resume normal activity without compromising on preventive steps aimed at protecting people’s health and safety, the Committee said.
Key measures include temperature screening of employees, visitors and customers, and provision of an isolation room for suspected cases. Companies must restrict the number of employees allowed to be present in the pantry at any given time and ensure all mandatory guidelines outlined by health authorities are followed.
The Committee said private sector employees suffering from respiratory conditions and those with compromised immunity are advised to continue working remotely from home.
It stressed on the need for employees of private sector companies and shopping malls, and visitors to these locations, to strictly follow precautionary measures, including wearing face masks, maintaining a minimum distance of two metres from others, using hand sanitisers and regularly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Baiju Kurieash, Managing Director, BUZ Marketing - the consulting firm managing Dubai Shopping Malls Group told Gulf Today that this was a very significant announcement, which will certainly help fast track the recovery of the retail sector and further help build consumer confidence on the measures taken by stakeholders.
“We hope that the mall entertainment and activation will be the next indicator of successful relaxation measures. The efforts are lining up very well as international flights set to pick up within the coming weeks.” Baiju concluded.
Kamal Vachani, Group Director, Al Maya Group greatly welcomed the Dubai government’s decision of allowing shopping malls and the private sector to operate at 100 per cent capacity starting from today (Wednesday).
“The Dubai government’s bold move will restore normalcy and would further spice up the retail sector in the City of Wonders.”
“The UAE is leading from the front in taking smart initiatives in fight against COVID-19, adding that he is proud to be the resident of this great country.” Vachani concluded.
Al Maya Group, the UAE-based business conglomerate, has more than 50 supermarkets in the UAE.
The Supreme Committee urged shopping malls to adhere to all precautionary guidelines to ensure the safety of employees and visitors.
Mandatory measures include frequently sterilising all facilities and common areas in malls, providing sanitisers across the mall and its entrances, and screening people’s temperature at entrances to identify suspected cases and take necessary measures.
All shopping malls are required to provide a dedicated room to isolate suspected cases in accordance with protocols.
Inspections will be held to ensure full adherence to guidelines. Both members of the public and shopping malls will face fines if they violate guidelines.
