Abu Dhabi authorities are rethinking the ways of exit from COVID-19 crisis. The gradual reopening business could start from the malls. They will be allowed to operate if they meet safety requirements.
The United Arab Emirates’ economy suffers a lot from the restrictions amid coronacrisis. However, under the rules issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), shopping centres and malls have a chance to reopen. The only condition is to arrange Covid-19 tests for all in-store employees before they can resume operations.
As ADDED stated, permits would only be granted to those which had certificates to show their staff tested negative for the virus, state news agency Wam reported.
Abu Dhabi malls were among hundreds of businesses required to have their staff tested for the novel pathogen. Screening of all employees is a must for the shops, however, the decision does not affect offices in the capital city.
In UAE, businesses which failed to comply would face a fine and possible legal action for repeated delays, the department stressed.
UAE fights against coronavirus very effectively
As of Monday, the UAE announced a further 490 new Covid-19 cases, taking the country’s total to 10,839 cases. In addition, 112 patients have recovered fast and six people have died.
Abu Dhabi’s mall operators confirmed they were busy deep cleaning their malls in preparation to restart. Following ADDED’s instructions, LuLu Group, which operates a number of malls in the capital including Khalidiyah Mall, Mushrif Mall and Al Wahda Mall, released images showing its shopping centres being sterilised by a team of workers.
