Recent measures implemented in Abu Dhabi in response to COVID-19

By Charles Laubach

On 30 May 2020, the Abu Dhabi Media Office posted through Twitter that the Department of Government Support has eased restrictions on some activities and issued a set of guidelines for working from and visiting government entities in Abu Dhabi.

 

The guidelines below come into effect from today, 1 June 2020, and are limited to individuals between the ages of 12 and 60. All individuals must follow preventive measures including social distancing (ensuring two-metre distance from other individuals), wearing face masks and adhering to the daily National Disinfection Programme timing in Abu Dhabi (from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following morning).

 

I.        Easing restrictions on some activities in Abu Dhabi

 

• Capacity at malls and mall restaurants is increased to 40 percent.

 

• Hotel beaches, museums and restaurants outside malls to reopen at 40 percent capacity.

 

• Outdoor and singular sports activities including horseback riding, cycling, cricket, running, golf, tennis, and sailing will resume.

 

II.     Guidelines for working from and visiting government entities in Abu Dhabi

 

• No more than 35 percent of office staff will be allowed to work in government offices.

 

• Paperwork should be avoided.

 

• Face masks and gloves are to be worn at all times.

 

• Prayer rooms and shared areas are to remain closed.

 

• Glass barriers must be installed to keep a distance between employees and customers.

 

• Before leaving home, government employees in Abu Dhabi have been asked to take their temperature and avoid public transportation networks.

 

• Once at work, their temperature will be taken again and a QR code scanned.

 

• Employees who live with people who have tested positive for Covid-19, or who show symptoms, are exempt from having to return to offices, as are those who suffer from chronic underlying health conditions or who need to care for family members.

 

Restrictions on movement in and outside Abu Dhabi

 

Subsequently, on 31 May 2020, the Abu Dhabi Media Office posted restrictions announced by the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee on movement in and outside the Emirate.

 

Movement between regions within Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafrah) as well as in and out of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is banned for a period of one week starting tomorrow, 2 June 2020. The ban includes all residents including UAE nationals.

 

Exemptions from this movement restriction are available for employees of vital sectors, chronic disease patients visiting hospitals and the transportation of necessary goods.

 

Residents in each region are allowed to move within their region in line with the daily National Disinfection Programme timing in Abu Dhabi (from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following morning). ■

 

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