Abu Dhabi issues new guidelines for businesses reopening

Abu Dhabi has issued new guidelines for businesses that are reopening to ensure that employees remain safe.

The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) said the measures are aimed at ensuring workplace health and safety and supporting employee needs, in line with preventative measures imposed by the Abu Dhabi Emergency and Crisis Committee for the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of the new guidelines, low risk individuals are eligible to be in the workplace, but those who can effectively do their jobs remotely should continue to work from home.

Eligible individuals include those aged between 18-55 who do not have any underlying health conditions. They must also be living alone or with other low risk individuals.

Those not eligible to be in workplace include people aged 55 and above, pregnant women and those living with individuals who have chronic health issues or those aged 60 or above.

The DED also said that parents who choose to work remotely while schools are closed should be accommodated by their employers.

Detailed protocol related to the age and health conditions of employers have also been made clear in the advisory.

“Pressure or penalties may not be imposed on those who are not eligible to return to work”, it added.

Sector-specific guidelines includes attendance caps at 30 per cent, social distancing, and sanitisation of work and communal spaces for construction, manufacturing and utilities, financial services, retail and wholesale, transportation, and restaurants and hospitality.

DED stressed the importance of implementing the guidelines in order to prepare for business reopening. Low-risk individuals are eligible to be in the workplace, but those who can effectively do their jobs remotely should continue to work from home.

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) May 14, 2020