Smart centre launched in Abu Dhabi to monitor how shops enforce social distancing

A 24/7 control room covers stores and sales outlets across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra

Added has urged shoppers to be responsible and play their role in ensuring public safety. Courtesy Added

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) has joined forces with the capital’s Monitoring and Control Centre (MCC) to establish a smart emergency control centre to monitor how businesses are enforcing social distancing rules.

The control room, which operates for 24 hours, seven days per week, covers stores and sales outlets in the emirate’s three regions – Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra – through a smart monitoring system, the department said in a statement on Sunday.

It will support inspection teams by identifying violations in real-time and allow them to quickly follow up on customer complaints, Rashed Al Balooshi, the department's undersecretary, said.

Inspection teams will be provided with “accurate data in terms of the violation's time and location, as well as the persons involved”, he added.

“The newly-launched system is part of Added’s initiatives dedicated to employ state-of-the-art technologies in facilitating the regulation of commercial activities in Abu Dhabi … providing high levels of services in ensuring consumers’ welfare and enhancing the emirate’s business environment,” said Mr Al Balooshi.

Announced in 2011, Abu Dhabi Monitoring and Control Centre aims to manage monitoring systems at both private and public places, analyse data and prevent crime by detecting offenders.

Added has also urged shoppers to be responsible, maintain compliance with the regulations and play their part in ensuring public safety. It has also encouraged them to follow the rules in place to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Al Balooshi said the smart monitoring system records the violations of business owners and shoppers in a clear and accurate manner, which will help to minimise unwarranted gatherings and violations committed at various facilities and sales outlets operating within the emirate.