What to expect in Dubai as CoronaVirus restrictions are relaxing

After weeks of lock-down during the extensive CoronaVirus disinfection drive in Dubai, authorities have finally allowed residents to continue with their outdoor activities – considering the follow the safety guidelines.

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced a partial reduction in the restrictions on movement in Dubai starting from Friday, April 24.

Despite the ease in restrictions, everyone was asked to abide by precautionary measures to ensure community health.

What to expect in Dubai post- CoronaVirus Lock-down?

General Guidelines:

• No public gatherings would be allowed.
• Lock-down or stay-at-home restrictions have been reduced to 10pm till 6am. This means that no permit is required until 10pm. After 10pm, people are only allowed to go out for medical emergencies.
• Not wearing a mask would lead to a find of Dh1,000.

Guidelines for Social Distancing when going out:

• Social distancing is also extremely important during the relaxations.
• You can now exercise outdoors, however, limit it to one or two hours.
• You are also not allowed to leave your area of residence during exercising outdoors.
• Family visits should also be avoided as much as possible.
• You can, however, meet first and second degree relatives. Gatherings, in such cases, should not be of more than five people.
• Avoid meeting the elderly or those who fall in the vulnerable group.
• If you are visiting a shopping mall, beware of this Shopping Mall guideline by Dubai Economic Department.

Guidelines for Food outlets and restaurants:

• Food and beverage outlets would not be allowed to serve shisha or host buffets.
• Restaurants would need to adhere to social distancing protocols for their customers as well.
• After 10pm, restaurants are allowed to offer food delivery services, up until 6am.

Guidelines for Salons:

• Salons would be open, but only for hair and nail treatments. Clients need to book an appointment first.

Guidelines for Public Transport:

• Public transport including the Metro and taxis will be available for commuters. The Metro would operate from 7am till 11pm.
• Only two passengers will be allowed in a taxi.
• Water transport, tram, limousine, and car sharing services will continue to be suspended.

Guidelines for Offices:

• Offices should be staffed at a maximum of 30 per cent.
• Remote working would continue to be the dominant mode of working.
• Companies should constantly monitor number of visitors and staff entering and leaving daily.
• Face masks will be mandatory at work.
• Daily sterilization of workplace is mandatory. Employees and visitors should be provided with sanitisers.
• If there is a meeting at the workplace, it should not have more than five people and attendees should have at least two meter distance apart

Sectors exempted from 10pm-6am restrictions:

Those working in shopping malls, retail shops, open souqs, pharmacies, financial services, restaurants and cafes food services, delivery services, social welfare services, maintenance and repair services, laundry services, nail and hair salons healthcare services, food supply outlets, industrial supply chain for services and basic commodities industrial sectors, water and electricity sector, petrol and gas stations and district cooling services telecommunications, media, airports, airlines, ports, shipping, customs duty and border crossings, public and private security services municipality services, public transport construction sector, hotels and offices.

Dubai Economic Department has issued detailed guidelines for the Dos and Don’ts during Ramadan. Read them here.