All essential stores in the UAE can remain open around the clock, as the UAE authorities continue to manage and contain the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority have confirmed that food retail outlets are able to stay open as long as they need to, in a bid to ensure that all residents have access to sufficient supplies during these days of self-isolation.
#UAE Government: Food retail outlets, including cooperative societies, grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies permitted to remain open 24 hours a day#WamNews https://t.co/l2MsOehXj1 pic.twitter.com/rTcNIhxM6i
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) March 24, 2020
The 24/7 policy extends to cooperative societies, grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, however social distancing measures are being enforced to ensure that premises do not exceed 30 percent of maximum capacity at any given moment, and that two metres of physical distance are ensured between customers.
“All bodies concerned have to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures taken by the State’s competent bodies to ensure public safety and people’s wellbeing,” said the two authorities in their joint statement.
For the latest on the coronavirus outbreak and what it means in the UAE click here.
