UAE combats coronavirus: Umm Al Quwain commercial outlets to reopen with restrictions

Dubai - Shopping centres, retail areas and markets can partially reopen at a 30% capacity to avoid health issues.

The Executive Council of Umm Al Quwain on Wednesday issued a directive to reopen commercial establishments in the emirate as per the amended timing of the National Disinfection Programme.
The re-opening is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the current situation that has taken into full consideration the reports raised by the executive and field departments in charge of combatting the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decision allows commercial establishments, which include shopping centres, retail areas and markets, to partially re-open at a 30 per cent capacity to avoid health issues, with customers to maintain physical-distancing norms to avoid overcrowding.
According to the directive, all establishments have to obligate their staff to wear face masks, while wearing gloves is advisable, but not compulsory. They have also to ensure easy access to stores and sufficient provision of large amounts of sanitisers and hygiene kits in addition to closing all public seating areas and prayer spaces.
The directive stipulates that people over 60 years old will be denied entry, with establishments employing a maximum of 30 per cent of their staff and enforcing a physical distance of two metres from each other. Prevention guidelines should be prominently posted on the ground at checkout areas and all around the establishment.
Food and beverage outlets have to operate at 30 per cent of capacity only. They are to serve a maximum group of four per table and tables should be spaced 2.5m apart, with the Shisha ban to persist.
The decision allows the opening of women and men's salons to provide limited services, namely haircuts, shaving and nail-cutting as per a set of rules, including prior booking. It also involves banning of gatherings at any given time in addition to abiding by prevention guidelines and providing sanitisers and hygiene kits.
As per the directive, cinemas, museums and heritage sites will remain closed and desert and entertainment camps will continue to be prohibited.
The closure of massage centres, wedding halls, gardens, public beaches, children's play areas, sports lounges and fitness facilities and swimming pools will continue.

• Umm Al Quwain