Cinemas, gyms, retail stores and other facilities to reopen with social-distancing rules, with no restrictions on movement between 6am and 11pm.
Dubai has announced bold steps to reopen business activities starting Wednesday, it was announced on Monday. Business activities will resume in the emirate from 6am to 11pm and there will be no restrictions on movement between 6am and 11pm.
Cinemas, gyms, retail stores, clinics and recreational venues will open but by following social-distancing rules.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, announced the gradual reopening of business activities in Dubai from the fourth day of the Eid Al Fitr during a remote meeting of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.
The virtual meeting was also attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the committee; and other committee members.
Sheikh Hamdan said the decision was made following a comprehensive assessment of the committee’s reports, various health and socio-economic aspects and a thorough review of the Covid-19 situation.
Updates in Dubai, starting Wednesday May 27:
– Residents can move freely between 6am to 11pm.
– Dubai airport will open for people who want to return to the UAE and for transit.
– Gyms and fitness centre will open with social distancing and constant sterilisation.
– Dubai retail stores and wholesale outlets will reopen.
– ENT Clinics, children’s health centres will reopen. Surgeries that go up to two and a half hours are allowed.
– Cinemas will reopen with social distancing and sterilisation at all times.
– Entertainment facilities and recreational venues like the Dubai Ice Rink and Dolphinarium will reopen.
– All government centres like Amer and Tasheel will reopen.
– Auction houses that cannot hold online auctions will reopen.
General rules
– All businesses authorised to operate should abide with new sterilisation timings.
– Everyone should wear a mask at all times.
– Everyone should always maintain a two-metre social distance.
– All passengers arriving in the country should adhere to a 14-day quarantine.
– Children under 12, people over 60 and those with chronic diseases are not allowed to enter shopping centres, cinemas, gyms and educational institutes.
– Sterilisation must continuously be carried out and only single-use utensils allowed.
– Violators of rules and guidelines will be fined, according to the type of violation.
The new measures are aimed at adapting to the pandemic situation without disrupting activity in vital sectors while strictly observing precautionary measures, including wearing of face masks, observing minimum physical distancing of two metres, use of sanitisers and regular handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Sheikh Hamdan stressed the need for Dubai authorities to further raise community awareness about precautionary measures. Highlighting the Dubai Ruler’s statement “Everyone is responsible”, Sheikh Hamdan said the community should understand the importance of strictly following preventive steps.
“We are aware of the pressures many sectors are facing because of the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UAE society has high levels of resilience to any crises and challenges. We have been following the severe impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on countries around the world. What makes us different is our ability to deal positively with changes and our agility. We have all the elements necessary to adapt to these challenging circumstances. I am confident that all members of the society will come together to overcome this crisis as soon as possible,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan was briefed about the latest developments related to the crisis and the readiness of various sectors in Dubai, mainly the healthcare sector, to deal with any scenario in the upcoming period.
Recent proactive measures have reinforced Dubai’s ability to deal with any unforeseen situation. The emirate has enhanced its hospital capacity by joining hands with the private sector and set up a fully equipped field hospital at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which can accommodate up to 3,000 beds.
He was also briefed on the potential capacity of the field hospital at Dubai Parks and Resorts, which was built under the directives and with the generous support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The 29,000 square metre hospital set up by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) can accommodate up to 1,200 patients.
Sheikh Hamdan also reviewed preparations to gradually reopen various spheres of life while maintaining stringent precautionary and preventive measures, including physical distancing, wearing of face masks, use of sanitisers and prevention of congestion and crowding. Protective measures also include guidelines on social customs and behaviour for members of the community, especially with regard to family visits.
Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on the preparedness of key authorities in Dubai to manage the next phase, including the Dubai Health Authority, the Covid-19 Command and Control Centre, the Dubai Police, the State Security Department, the Dubai Civil Defence, the Dubai Ambulance, the Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the Department of Economic Development in Dubai (DED), the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) and other government entities whose efforts are key to maintaining the progress achieved in containing the pandemic.
Sheikh Hamdan called on all key organisations to intensify monitoring to ensure institutions, economic sectors and the public comply with all precautionary guidelines. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Health and Prevention. He also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and all local and federal authorities to combat Covid-19. The Crown Prince affirmed that the safety and security of citizens and residents remain the highest priority of the leadership.
The latest announcement comes as the Government of Dubai continues its efforts to ensure the highest level of safety for members of the community with the support of various entities. Its key recent measures have included intensified sterilisation at various areas and facilities and increased Covid-19 tests in densely populated areas to facilitate early detection of cases and isolation of people testing positive.
Dubai has deployed state-of-the-art equipment to support medical staff in conducting widespread tests. These have included tests for critical segments like people of determination and the elderly. The emirate has also enhanced monitoring of various entities to ensure compliance with precautionary measures and imposed fines on individuals and entities violating guidelines. Additionally, the Government of Dubai launched urgent economic measures to support sectors most affected by the pandemic including a AED1.5 billion economic stimulus package introduced in March to ease the crisis’s financial impact on small and medium enterprises.
