Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for people returning to work

Parents who need to work remotely while schools are closed must be allowed to do so

A medical worker puts away a Covid-19 swab test at one of the Mussaffah testing facilities. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident goes for a jog along the Corniche in the capital as the government eases movement restrictions. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi residents wear mandatory masks as they walk in the city. Victor Besa / The National

Safety instructions are on display outside Al Awir fruit and vegetable market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A person wearing protective face mask and covering his face with laptop bag on a hot day in Bur Dubai area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Indian citizens queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport before leaving the UAE on a flight back to their home country on May 7. Inbound flights for UAE residents have also begun operating from select cities. Karim Sahim / AFP 

Passengers from an Emirates flight from London queue before being checked by health workers at Dubai International Airport on May 8. Karim Sahib / AFP

Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public but with safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff from contracting Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public from 12pm to 9pm. Measures remain in place to keep shoppers and staff safe. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi will be open from midday to 9pm. Supermarkets and pharmacies will be open from 9am to midnight. Victor Besa / The National

Workers pass by Al Mina vegetables and fruits market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A security guard is given a free Covid-19 test at one of the Mussaffah testing centres. Victor Besa / The National

Workers line up to receive a coronavirus test at the Mussaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi has issued a set of guidelines to ensure the safe return of employees heading back to offices, retail outlets and other places of work.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development outlined six steps that employers must adhere to during the transitional return to work phase.

The instructions aim to ensure the “health and safety of employees”, as more people start heading back to work over the coming weeks and months.

Those who can continue to work effectively from home have been encouraged to do so.

Parents must also be given the option to work remotely by their employer while schools are closed.

Workers between the ages of 18 to 55 can return to the workplace to continue their duties, given that they do not suffer with or live with anyone who has underlying health issues.

Employees who suffer from chronic diseases or a compromised immunity who are over 55 will not be allowed to return to the workplace as yet, due to risk of infection.

The same rules apply for pregnant women and those over 60. Employers have been advised not to penalise or put pressure on those not eligible to return to work.

Under existing rules set out by emergency authority NCEMA, no more than 30 per cent of the total workforce can be in the workplace at any one time.

Social distancing between employees and the sanitisation of both work and communal spaces must be carried out regularly, by all employers.

Rashed Al Balooshi, undersecretary of Added, said the guidelines have been developed according to government advice to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He stressed the importance of following the guidelines in order to prepare for business reopening.

The advisory focused on a number of additional measures for those working across specific sectors including wholesale and retail, construction, transport, manufacturing and utilities and hospitality.

Employers operating in the retail sector with more than 30 employees on site have been directed to install thermal cameras at shop entrances.

Staff must adhere to a number of precautionary safety measures including the use of protective clothing and reduced contact with customers and colleagues. The advisory also mandates that all purchasing transactions should done from behind a plastic or glass barrier via electronic payment methods.

For those working on construction sites or on-site offices, they must undergo temperature checks, don protective wear, stagger breaks among workers to avoid crowding, and avoid the oversharing of equipment where necessary.