Covid-19: UAE authorities direct emirates to explore re-opening of malls

The two government bodies responsible for overseeing the UAE’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic said it has directed authorities in country to explore the possibility of re-opening malls.

National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, in an update on Twitter this morning, said they “directed the local economic authorities to study the possibility of reopening commercial centres in consultation with their private sector partners, taking into account health requirements and precautionary and preventive measures”.

The announcement comes as authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have outlined staged plans to re-open malls in their respective emirates.

The measures include wearing of masks at all times, maintaining social distancing and ensuring that restaurants and retail outlets are restricted to 30% capacitity.