Abu Dhabi extends closure of malls, cinemas, commercial establishments indefinitely

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) issued a new circular on Saturday, April 4, extending the closure of commercial centres, shopping malls, cinemas, electronic game halls and other entertainment destinations in the emirate until further notice.

.@abudhabided has issued a circular extending the temporary closure of commercial centres, shopping malls, cinemas, electronic game halls and other entertainment destinations in the emirate until further notice. pic.twitter.com/sUK3SNOpVv

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) April 4, 2020

Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of ADDED, said that other circulars that ADDED has released including the suspension of valet parking services, closure of fitness and bodybuilding halls and the banning of hookah (shisha) in restaurants and cafes will also continue to remain in effect until further notice, reported official news agency WAM.

The new circular directs all licensed companies and establishments in Abu Dhabi not to open their doors to the public offering their products and services. ADDED will be carrying out inspection visits to ensure compliance with this order and monitor any violations.

The measures by ADDED implemented in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) are part of the country’s ongoing efforts to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On March 23, the UAE decided to close all malls in the country  as it sought to combat the spread of Covid-19 virus.

Read: UAE urges all residents to stay home as it closes malls, makes restaurants delivery-only

The UAE announced the detection of 241 new coronavirus cases on April 4, taking the total number of those infected to 1,505.

Other emirates have also directed commercial establishments to remain closed. On Saturday, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said that it has decided to extend the 8pm-6am daily sterilisation programme that was set to conclude in the emirate on Sunday morning, to 24 hours a day for two weeks and with the timeframe subject to renewal.

Read: Dubai extends sterilisation drive to 24 hours for two weeks