Dubai malls are on 'standby' for potential reopening amid ongoing Covid-19 pandemic | Esquire Middle East

The Dubai government is starting to put a plan in place for the potential reopening of the city’s malls and tourist attractions.

Arabian Business reports that Dubai’s government has told malls to be on standby for a gradual re-opening, with heavy safety measures to be put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect staff and customers.

What does this mean?

This is just the first step of a four stage process. In a document outlining protocols for re-opening major retail operations, Dubai Economy said that visitors to malls and staff must wear masks at all times, with hand sanitisers installed throughout the area.

The document gave no date for the re-opening of malls, but it said operators should be on standby for an announcement.

However with safety of the citizens and residents as the top most priority, the government has also set out sanitation rules. All malls must conduct sanitisation 24 hours a day, and implement a screening process that checks the temperature and health of everyone who enters. The malls must also have a mandatory isolation area to isolate potential Covid-19.

However people will only be allowed to stay in the malls for a maximum of three hours, while the mall will be open for just 10 hours in a day. Adults over 60 and children between three and 12 will not be allowed to enter.

Visitors and staff must wear a mask at all times
Malls must conduct sanitation drives throughout the day
There needs to be a thermal screening check at the entrance
All malls must have mandatory isolation areas
Visitors cannot stay in the mall for more than three hours
Malls must only operate in a 10 hour window
Those aged 60 above and below 12 cannot visit the mall
Stores must have a “red tag” on the door indication maximum capacity
Visitors must maintain a minimum of four feet while in a store

What does this mean for the city’s restaurants?

The document details that restaurants and other F&B outlets will have to reduce seating to 30 percent and maintain seating and tables at least six feet apart.

Both stores and restaurants must hang a red tag on the door displaying the maximum number of customers to be allowed inside, based on a social distance of four feet.