Combating Covid-19: UAE supermarkets undergo intense sterilisation drive

Dubai - All supermarket staff are now wearing PPE gears, including a facemask and gloves while in the store.

Major retail outlets across the UAE are undergoing deep cleaning and intense sterilisation drives, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Retail outlets like Lulu Group and Spinneys have said even though all their stores are undergoing routine surface cleaning and sanitization activities regularly, the retailers will close their stores for a day, in a scheduled manner, to undergo deep cleaning. The stores will reopen the following day, once complete.

Furthermore, all supermarket staff are now wearing PPE gears, including a facemask and gloves at all times while in the store.

Retail chain Spinneys shared on its social media accounts, "Please note that we are conducting a sanitation drive across our stores for health and safety purposes.
During this time some of our stores will be closed for a day and shall reopen once complete." The retailer has said the fogging and sanitization process takes up to 24-hours.

Spinneys stores at Umm Suqeim and Mercato Mall closed on April 2, and resumed operations on April 3, according to retailer.

In response to queries from customers, Spinneys has said the schedules for other branches will be shared with them in advance, through their social media channels.

Meanwhile, Nandakumar V, head of marketing and communications, Lulu Group International said the Lulu Hypermarket Khaladiya Branch in Abu Dhabi was closed on Thursday, April 2 for a day. "As part of our initiatives to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, we are currently carrying out deep cleaning and sanitization of the mall and all our stores." The hypermarket re-opened on April 3.

He added, "While we do sanitization and surface cleaning regularly, deep cleaning will happen on a scheduled manner and our customers will be intimidated on the days it takes place ahead of time." The deep cleaning operations are taking place in collaboration with local authorities.

Kamal Vachani, the Group Director Al Maya Group, who have a total of 50 supermarket branches in the UAE, said, "We are maintaining a very high level of sanitation and cleanliness in our supermarkets. All our trolleys are sanitized and our staff are washing their hands frequently. Our staff are also wearing gloves and mask for the protection and safety of our customers."

• Dubai