Abu Dhabi restaurants, cafés must cap occupancy at 40%; restrict entry for customers below 12 and above 60

In case a food handler contracts the virus, the establishment must be closed

June 17, 2020

Officials in Abu Dhabi have issued a set of precautionary measures on Wednesday morning that must be adhered to by all restaurants, cafés and coffee shops outside shopping malls in order to reopen.

The guidelines issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development along with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority have mandated that establishments limit its visitor occupancy levels to a maximum of 40 per cent of its capacity.

In line with directives issued by @NCEMAUAE to curb the spread of COVID-19, @AbuDhabiDED in cooperation with @adafsa_gov issued a circular detailing precautionary measures that must be taken to reopen restaurants, cafes and coffee shops outside shopping malls in #AbuDhabi. pic.twitter.com/PDsqq330Xk

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 17, 2020

The complete list of guidelines that these establishments must adhere to include:

– Arrange Covid-19 testing for all staff.

– Prevent those above 60, children below 12 and those with chronic diseases from entering the premises.

– A maximum of four people are to be seated at a table.

– A distance of 2.5-metres are to be kept between tables. Waiting areas are to be closed.

– All buffets, open food displays, food samples and shared canapés as well as shisha are to be removed.

– Direct any employees showing Covid-19 symptoms to the nearest medical centre for testing.

– In case a food handler contracts the virus, the establishment must be closed.

– The restaurants must limit their capacity to a maximum of 40 per cent.

– Hand santisiers must be installed at entry points

– All surface and tools as well as tables and chairs must be sanitised on a daily basis after each usage. Toilets are to be sanitised frequently too.

– Temperature checks must be conducted at entrances for staff and customers. In case anyone display a high temperature, they must be denied entry.

– Facemasks and gloves are mandatory for employees at all times and for customers when entering and exiting the premises.

– Single-use cutlery must be used. Reusable (eg: metal) cutlery can only be used if thermal dishwashers (high temperature) cycles with sanitizing function are used.

– Work hours must be in line with National Sterilisation Programme timings.

Earlier in May, Abu Dhabi issued a set of guidelines for hotels within the emirate to reopen, mandating that restaurants and lounges in these hotels have to cap visitor numbers at 30 per cent of the total capacity.

Read: Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for hotels to reopen

Similarly last week, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi issued directives for
museums and other cultural sites within the capital emirate to cap their visitor occupancy 40 per cent of their capacity.

On June 16, officials clarified that Abu Dhabi residents will be permitted to exit the emirate without a permit. However, they will require a permit to reenter the emirate.

Abu Dhabi extended its movement ban by another week starting June 16 during which movement of all residents will remain restricted between the different regions of the emirate including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.

Read: Abu Dhabi movement ban extended by another week starting June 16