This page brings you all governmental updates on COVID-19 in the UAE.
As Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates ease their restrictions and gear up to return to regularity, the UAE government has issued a set of strict guidelines in order to ensure that it opens its door responsibly and with greater care. Accordingly, all residents, visitors and staff across the UAE are required to abide by these protocols; this not only helps to limit or eliminate the spread of COVID – 19 but also maximizes their protection against this pandemic.
So check out what’s permitted and not permitted in the UAE from 27th May 2020.
The following are permitted:
- In Dubai, people will be allowed to step outside from 6:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs.
- The malls are allowed to function anytime from 6:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
- Food courts plus other F&B (Food and Beverage) outlets will reopen, however by ensuring that it adheres to strict hygiene and social distancing policies.
- Most businesses and establishments including clinics, educational / training institutions, salons, sport centers, gyms and cinemas will reopen, however with regular sanitization procedures and social distancing norms.
- Majority of the region’s leisure attractions and iconic landmarks such as Dubai Ice Rink, Ski Dubai, Aquariums. Dolphinarium, observation decks, museums, etc will reopen.
- While retail and wholesale activities will be allowed up to 70% of capacity, others including entertainment activities, gyms, educational training etc will be allowed to operate with up to 50% of capacity.
- Routine visits to dental clinics plus elective surgeries that would take not more than 2.5 hours are allowed.
- Outsourced government centers for services such as visa processing will continue its operations.
- Senior citizens above 60 years and kids below 12 years will be allowed at the therapy centers within malls, provided they carry a valid appointment proof and also joined by an adult.
The following restrictions exist:
- Social distancing rule that entails people to maintain a strict two-meter distance from others when they are outside.
- All working hours must be fixed in line with the national sterilization program hours.
- All visitors and staff should mandatorily go through a temperature screening procedure before they make their way to any facility.
- Besides ensuring that all intense sterilization procedures are in place, the allowed facilities should install contactless hand sanitizer dispensers across all common areas.
- Only 2D cinemas are available now; 3D and 4D movies still not opened.
- No promotional booklets should be distributed in cinemas
- No F&B outlets is allowed to open inside the cinemas
- No events and gatherings are permitted anywhere in the UAE.
- There should be social distancing markings on floors.
- Only up to five members per group are allowed within facilities such as Ski Dubai, Dubai Ice Rink, Go Karting etc.
- Adhere to strict personal hygiene measures
- All returning UAE residents must strictly comply with the 14-day home quarantine norm.
- Masks and gloves must be worn all times when outside.
- Senior citizens above 60 years, people with any severe medical complications, and kids below 12 years plus all age-group kids with any kind of ailments will not be permitted to visit malls.
FAQs on the Latest COVID-19 Guideliness
How does the UAE combat COVID-19? What are the preventive measures undertaken?
From the implementation of intensive national sterilisation program to identifying infected people with field screening to conducting extensive scientific research and establishing Command and Control centers, the UAE’s able government has undertaken several effective measures to combat the pandemic. Moreover, it ranks top among the countries to perform the maximum number of individual COV-19 tests (more than 200,000 as of May 27, 2020).
What are the activities allowed to resume or reopen as of May 27, 2020?
The following businesses and commercial establishments are allowed to resume its activities or operations:
- Airport (applicable to UAE residents returning from abroad, transit passengers etc)
- Clinics (allowed for ENT, dental visits and elective surgeries which won’t take more than 2.5 hours)
- Retail and wholesale businesses
- Auctions
- Educational institutions and child learning and therapy centers
- Fitness centers, indoor gyms, and sports academies
- Entertainment centers
- Outsourced government centers
- Salons including kids’ salons
- Senior / Child therapy centers within malls (however with restrictions*)
*Senior citizens above 60 years and kids below 12 years will be allowed at the therapy centers within malls, provided they carry a valid appointment proof and also joined by an adult.
What are the general restrictions?
- Social distancing norm (of maintaining two-meter distance from other people) should be followed at all times when outside.
- While some activities are allowed 70% capacity, some are allowed 50% capacity only.
- The businesses and facilities (that are permitted to open) should install hand sanitizer dispenser (contactless) across all common areas.
- All should mandatorily wear mask and gloves when outside and in public places.
- All visitors and staff should pass through thermal screening procedures before entering any facility.
What are the guidelines for operating malls plus retail and wholesale businesses?
The following rules and regulations must be followed in malls and other retail / wholesale establishments.
- Only 70% of space is allowed to open with 30% of the parking space will remain shut.
- Malls or outlets are allowed to open anytime from 6:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs.
- While food and beverage outlets are permitted to function as usual, this is not applicable to bars. Moreover, the outlets that are permitted to sell alcohol should make sure that they restrict the serving of these drinks to tables, along with the ordered meals.
- Businesses should ensure that they abide by all strict sanitization and social distancing measures.
- Elevators should come with social distancing marking on floors and preference should be given to pregnant ladies and people with special needs.
Are malls open to all visitors?
No; the following people are not permitted to visit malls:
- Senior citizens above 60 years
- People with any severe medical complications
- Kids below 12 years
- All age-group kids with any kind of ailments
Did Dubai open all of its main attractions and entertainment activities?
As of now, Dubai has opened the following entertainment activities and experiences:
- Ski Dubai
- Dubai Ice Rink
- The Green Planet
- Go-Karting
- Dolphinarium Aquariums
- Aerial shows
- Observation Decks
- Museums
What are the activities still not allowed in Dubai?
Dubai strictly prohibits its residents and visitors from organizing or participating in any kind of:
- Group gatherings, commercial events and family functions such as birthdays, anniversaries etc.
- Spring or summer camp
- Interactive experiences
- Arcade zones
- Animal encounter activities
Is there any protocol to be followed for entertainment activities?
Yes; this covers:
- Only 50% of occupancy is allowed, i.e., the entertainment facilities will be accessible on the basis of four-square-meter per guest.
- Only up to five members per group are allowed within facilities.
- Entry is allowed for people aged between 12 and 60 years only.
- Entry is not allowed for people with any medical condition, respiratory ailment and chronic illness.
- Signage, if any, should be strategically placed at appropriate intervals.
- This is to ensure its clear visibility. It’s highly recommended to buy tickets online than using the ticket counter.
- The facilities should ensure that they adhere to all strict sanitization and social distancing measures.
- There should be a mandatory section to isolate the suspected guests.
- At souvenir shops within the facilities, guests shouldn’t be encouraged to touch any item that they don’t intend to purchase. And in case if they touch any item, they should be appropriately disinfected before they are put back to its place.
- No events or gatherings will be permitted in the premise of entertainment centers.
So is it now safe to visit Dubai’s attractions?
With the intensive sanitization measures and high end safety procedures in place, it’s now safe to visit attractions across Dubai and the UAE. But it’s equally vital to make sure that you comply with all safety guidelines and take appropriate measures to protect yourself from this pandemic.
What measures should I take to remain safe when outside?
Keep a check of these dos and don’ts when you visit an attraction in Dubai.
- Mandatorily wear masks and gloves
- Avoid crowd and maintain a strict two-meter gap between yourself and others
- Avoid any kind of contact with sick people
- Use an alcohol based sanitizer with 60% to 70% alcohol content to disinfect your hands at regular intervals
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, particularly after using washrooms or post coughing, sneezing etc.
Can I to travel or fly to Dubai or UAE?
Once it gets green light from the authorities, Dubai International Airport will return to its operations in full swing. But, as per the current move, the airport will be mainly functional for the UAE residents returning from aboard, transit passengers etc only (starting from June 1, 2020).
Is there any procedure to be followed for those arriving to Dubai?
If you’re a returning UAE resident, you should mandatorily comply with a 14-day self-quarantine at your home. Now if you show any symptoms of a respiratory illness, it’s advised to seek medical assistance and further follow your doctor’s instructions.
Whom should I contact for any medical support?
For medical support, you can dial at:
- 8001717 (Estijaba Hotline – Department of Health)
- 800342 (Dubai Health Authority)
- 80011111 (Ministry of Health and Prevention)
- City Tours & Excursions
