ABU DHABI — Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have allowed restaurants and shopping malls to operate at 60 percent capacity as the country eases stringent lockdown measures imposed due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. The move was announced on Thursday by the country's Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in a joint statement carried by WAM as they asked businesses and visitors to follow all relevant preventive and precautionary measures. No more than four people are allowed at each table, with dining tables to be distanced two meters apart, according to the statement. Waiting areas should remain closed and outlets must only serve food and drink using disposable cutlery, and hand sanitizer dispensers must be available. Wearing masks, and gloves is a must while changing them regularly in addition to maintaining safety distance norms and ensuring all working staff are free of COVID-19, the statement added. The ministry and the NCEMA reiterated that they have allowed children below 12 years in age and people who are not over 70 years old into all commercial centers and restaurants nationwide, reiterating the necessity of taking all COVID-19 countermeasures into consideration to ensure public safety. The two authorities have called upon the public, including malls shoppers and visitors to comply with all restrictions, including wearing masks for children aged four years old and above whenever they are inside malls in addition to taking their temperature upon entry. The statement also added that setting malls' capacity as well as other precautionary and preventive measures, is subject to evaluation by relevant authorities in each emirate as per the readiness and circumstances of each establishment.
