Business Continuity at Afridi & Angell

16 March 2020

As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread, we want to take this opportunity to inform you of our business continuity and safeguarding procedures.

Our staff and clients safety and health concerns are our top priority. We are taking the necessary precautions to continue with our daily operations and ensure the safety of our employees, clients, families and the community. We are paying close attention to every development to make informed and responsible decisions regarding all necessary adjustments to normal practices.

We have, so far, taken the following steps to combat coronavirus and maintain business continuity:

• All Afridi & Angell offices are continuing business as usual until further notice.
• Ongoing testing of software, systems and arrangements for flexible working. We are ensuring our personnel have the proper resources and capacity to work effectively from any location.
• Frequent communication, where required, with staff to provide status updates with regard to coronavirus and its consequences.
• Contingency planning so the firm is prepared for any updated government guidance on self-isolation and working from home, allowing business to continue as normal.
• Restricting travel except in exceptional circumstances or in order to meet a specific client need.
• Postponing all our external events until circumstances permit us to reschedule.
• Implementing enhanced disinfecting protocols in all offices.

We will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain business operations while ensuring the health and safety of all personnel and clients involved. We remain at your disposal to assist with any concerns that you may have, including the legal implications of coronavirus for your business and stakeholders.

If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. We will keep you abreast of any further developments in our efforts to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, and we wish you well during this challenging time.

Bashir Ahmed
Managing Partner

Recent Afridi & Angell inBriefs and Updates on COVID-19

• Compliance with official measures to combat COVID-19 made mandatory, Afridi & Angell Legal Alert, 29 March 2020
• Further measures announced by the UAE authorities in response to COVID-19, Afridi & Angell Legal Alert, 19 March 2020 
• Recent measures implemented by the UAE authorities in response to COVID-19, Afridi & Angell inBrief, 18 March 2020 

Useful Links

• Government of Dubai Media Office (Twitter page as it will include the most recent updates): https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice

Preventive Guidelines

• UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOH): https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/AwarenessCenter/Pages/COVID-19.aspx for the most recent updates please see the Twitter page: https://twitter.com/mohapuae
• World Health Organisation (WHO): https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1 and for the most recent updates: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Restrictions or Temporary Suspension on Businesses

• Dubai Municipality: https://www.dm.gov.ae/en/Business/HealthAndPublicSafety/Pages/default.aspx and for the most recent updates please see the Twitter page: https://twitter.com/DMunicipality?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Restriction on Travel / Transportation 

• UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA): https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/Warnings
• Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airport: https://www.abudhabiairport.ae/en/Announcement (Abu Dhabi) and https://www.dubaiairports.ae/alert/latest-covid-19-update (Dubai)
• Emirates: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/travel-updates/#3515

Distance Learning

Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): https://www.khda.gov.ae/en/safetyatschools