Filed on April 24, 2020 | Last updated on April 25, 2020 at 06.16 am

UAE offices gear up for partial reopening: All you need to know

While distancing measures had already been put in place in office, the safety measures for employees continues to be a priority for most stakeholders.

Companies across the UAE have welcomed the measure to partially reopen offices. With Dubai Economy prescribing a set of safety guidelines for the same, a map has already been charted out. While distancing measures had already been put in place in offices across the UAE, the safety measures for employees continues to be a priority for most stakeholders.

The crisis was unforeseen and has impacted everyone alike - from the corporates to private business owners.

Remote work to continue

Employees are allowed to work in offices only if it is absolutely necessary. Their numbers should not exceed 30 per cent of the total workforce. The rest of the workforce can continue working remotely from home. Meetings should be held at the office only if it is absolutely necessary. Attendees should not exceed five people and they must adhere to the safe distance rule.

All you need to know: Dubai issues guidelines

Sanitisation Clean common areas of the building/office premises, including toilets cleaned after each use and sterilise entrance areas. Pantries must remain closed and single-use disposables should be provided to the employees.



Entrance health checks Anyone entering the building/office, including staff members and visitors, should undergo temperature screenings and checks. Employees who are ill or those showing signs must be prohibited from coming to work. Provisions for masks and hand sanitisers All employees/visitors are mandated to wear face masks at all times in the building/office upon entry. Non-compliance will lead to denial of entry into the premises. Hand sanitizers should be installed and purchase of masks and sanitization process should be managed by building management/companies. Physical distancing of two metres Companies should ensure the 2-metre distancing measure is maintained in all common areas, elevators, service desks and customer service. Capacity in elevators must not exceed 30 per cent. Occupancy ceiling Only 30 per cent of employees should work from office and the rest 70 per cent work should continue to work from home. Companies should maintain occupancy ceiling to 30 per cent in common areas and within office premises. Ensure no high-risk individuals are present at work. Office working hours Building and office hours should not exceed eight hours daily. Meetings should be minimised. Ensure no more than 5 people are present in a meeting, with each of them maintaining a 2-metre distance and gatherings are not permitted.



Suspend valet parking

Ensure valet parking is not provided to employees/visitors during this period. Communication

All restrictions must be communicated to employees and visitors. Isolation rooms should be be provided for suspected cases.

Dubai reopens malls, shopping centres

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.

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.

Metro to reopen on Sunday



Dubai Metro and other public transport services will reopen on Sunday, according to the Roads and Transport Authority, which issued a set of guidelines for commuters. Riders will have to observe preventive and proactive health measures, including maintaining physical distance from others and wearing face masks on metro, buses and within the premises. The ongoing protective health measures for taxi rides will continue to be in place, such as limiting the number of riders to two at the back seat and maintaining isolators between the driver and passengers. Buses and taxis will operate according on normal fares, the RTA said.



Dubai Metro



Metros will operate from 7am to 11pm from Saturday to Thursday, and from 10am to 11pm on Fridays. However, social distancing measures will continue to be enforced, and crowd management procedures at the entrances to the stations will apply. All employees and passengers will also be required to wear masks.

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 allowed 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





Relaxed regulations in place shopping at malls

* Malls and souqs will be operational for 10 hours

* All entertainment and tourist attractions like the Dubai Fountain will remain closed to avoid mass gatherings.

* No entertainment activities of any kind will be performed so as to ensure that social distancing protocol is followed.

* About 75 per cent of mall parking lots will remain closed

* Visitors will be required to wear masks at all times, with provisions to deny entry to those who don't.

* Mall managements must also ensure that a two-metre social distancing is followed in all common areas, with occupancy capped at 30 per cent.

* Dine-in outlets will need to reduce seating arrangements to 30 per cent and maintain placing seating and tables six feet apart for all customers

* Stores and eateries will be required to hang red tags at the front door indicating the maximum number of allowed customers inside

* No sales or promotions allowed by retailers to avoid crowding

Leaving the house

* Leaving the house is advised for necessities only

* Close relatives could be visited, but it's not allowed to have a gathering of more than five people

One outdoor activity can be performed as per the set parameters

* When outside the house, avoid touching any surfaces and immediately sanitise hands after doing so

* Avoid touching face until hands are properly washed with soap and water

* Elderly and high-risk individuals with chronic diseases are encouraged to stay home



Transportation (public or private)

* Mask should be worn when leaving the house

* It is advised to have sanitisers readily available and to use frequently in case of movement







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.