Coronavirus: Lulu, Carrefour revise shopping hours in UAE during sterilisation drive

Dubai - Shoppers are advised to avoid last-minute rush.

Major UAE hypermarkets Lulu and Carrefour have revised their opening hours due to the UAE government's sterilisation programme currently underway in the country.

"In line with the UAE government's sterilisation programme, Carrefour hypermarkets across Dubai and Fujairah have adjusted their opening hours from 8am to 8pm as per government mandate. These reduced operating hours do not apply to Carrefour supermarkets, which will remain open at normal hours," it said in a statement on Sunday.

"Carrefour remains committed to its customers' safety and wellbeing, and has introduced extra hygiene and social distancing measures for customers shopping at its stores," said the statement.

Lulu also announced a revision in its shopping hours.

"In view of the UAE Sterilisation Programme, Lulu stores across UAE have revised their operating hours from 8am to 7pm from today (Sunday). Please plan your shopping accordingly and avoid last-moment rush so as to maintain social distancing procedures," said V. Nandakumar, chief communications officer at Lulu.

Kamal Vachani, group director of Al Maya Group, said the group will keep its outlets open 24 hours in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Al Ain. But in Abu Dhabi, it will be operating two stores for 24 hours but other six will be closed by 8pm.

"We currently have around 50 stores across the UAE and managing the staff very well. There is no issue for us in terms of staff management," he said.

Dhananjay Datar, chairman and managing director of Al Adil Group of Supermarkets, said all of their stores will remain open from 9am to 7pm.

"We request our customers not to rush in at the last moment and create unnecessary confusion. We have put in place a social distancing system and hence we restrict the number of customers entering the store at any given point in time. These are designed keeping in mind the health of people and it is the responsibility of each and everyone of us to adhere to this," said Datar.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com