Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi abattoirs step up precautionary measures to meet Eid rush

Customers can order meat via two mobile apps, My Slaughter and Al Jazeera Slaughters

Butchers prepare cuts of meat for customers at the drive-through slaughterhouse in Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National 

Strict precautionary and hygiene measures have been stepped up at abattoirs in the capital for the Eid rush amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Abu Dhabi City Municipality said slaughterhouses will adhere to health standards under the supervision of a professional veterinary team.

To limit human interaction, Abu Dhabi residents can collect their meat orders from new drive-through centres after placing a contactless order.

To limit the number of customers in butcheries, orders can be placed via two mobile apps, My Slaughter and Al Jazeera Slaughters.

Special procedures have been implemented to keep customers and those working at slaughterhouses safe.

“Veterinarians, butchers, cleaners and supervisors will be divided into groups and each group will work on different days to avoid mixing with each other and to ensure the health and safety of the employees and the customers,” said Dr Saeed Al Rumaithi, director of the public health department at the municipality .

“In addition to implementing a policy of maintaining a safe distance between people, everyone will be required to wear masks and gloves during work hours.

“Body temperatures of employees will be monitored. Continuous sterilisation of all slaughterhouse facilities and public places will also take place,” he said.

Livestock such as sheep, cows, goats and camels will be fully examined by veterinarians before and after the slaughter process to ensure that meat is fit for human consumption.

Slaughterhouses will stay open during Eid holiday from 7am until 6pm daily. The last order can be placed by 5.30pm.

The Abu Dhabi automated slaughterhouse will be open on May 25 from 7am to 3pm, which is the second or third day of Eid.

Priority will be given to the elderly and people with disabilities.

The fee for slaughtering animals remains unchanged, said Dr Al Rumaithi. It is Dh15 for a goat or sheep, Dh40 for a calf or young camel and Dh60 for a full-grown cow or camel.

“These charges have not been changed since the last four decades,” he said.

The municipality said that more than 41,176 of different livestock have been slaughtered since the beginning of Ramadan.