Abu Dhabi activates work-from-home for some govt employees, orders shisha ban

The Abu Dhabi government has activated remote working for some of its employees, as part of precautionary efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, it announced on Thursday.

“Enhancing the series of preventative and precautionary measures taken by the government to ensure the safety and health of its human resources, “remote work” is focused on senior citizens, working mothers and employees who suffer from chronic diseases and respiratory symptoms,” the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said on Twitter.

Abu Dhabi government activates the "remote work" system for some of its employees, thanks to its advanced technical system and technological readiness, to ensure the smoothness and efficiency of all procedures, in order to accelerate the digital transformation

— Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (@admediaoffice) March 12, 2020

The move comes after it was announced earlier this week that the Dubai government will begin introducing a work-from-home policy for selected federal departments in the emirate.

The policy is expected to be gradually applied to all the other emirates across the country.

Read: Dubai begins work-from-home for federal government employees

The UAE has been taking several measure to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, having reported 74 cases in the country so far.

On Wednesday, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) also announced that hotels and cafes in the emirate have been temporarily banned from serving shisha.

“In line with the preventive measures for Covid-19, DCT is instructing all tourism establishments to refrain from serving shisha in all areas and facilities,” it said in a circular.

“This should commence with immediate and urgent effect. Establishments not in compliance with these guidelines will be subject to legal action.”

The UAE has also closed all schools, universities and nurseries across the UAE for four weeks starting from Sunday, March 8, while the country has also urged citizens and residents not to travel unless necessary.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention also said that travellers coming to the UAE from certain ‘countries of concern’ would be subject to a mandatory 14-day home quarantine.

They include China, Hong Kong, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Singapore and France.

The ministry added that the list can quickly change depending on the situation.

Read: People returning to the UAE from these countries must self-isolate for 14 days