Coronavirus: more Abu Dhabi restaurants and cafes outside of shopping malls reopen

Authorities are offering free Covid-19 testing to restaurant workers

Two men have dinner at Al Mufraka restaurant, Abu Dhabi in 2019. More restaurants outside malls in the capital are reopening. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More restaurants, cafeterias and coffee shops operating outside of shopping malls in Abu Dhabi have been allowed to reopen their doors.

These food outlets were able to verify they are complying with the precautionary measures and guidelines put in place to ensure consumer safety before reopening.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) said in a statement on Friday that all staff will have to undergo Covid-19 testing prior to their return to work, and working hours should be consistent with the timings set by the National Sterilisation Programme.

Dr Mohammed Al Hammadi, director of the authority’s legislation division, said that several preventive measures had been set for owners and workers of these facilities, which they are required to meet prior to reopening.

"In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Adafsa has designed a page in the food facilities' accounts on its website, calling on them through sms, to enter their employees' data into this page,” said Dr Al Hammadi.

“This enables workers of food facilities that are willing to resume their activities to conduct Covid-19 testing for free."

Similar precautionary measures were previously announced on June 17 to allow more dine-in guests inside eateries.

The safety measures include limiting the number of people in restaurants to 40 per cent of total capacity, with no more than four people allowed at each table.

Both staff and customers must wear gloves and masks, waiting areas should be closed, while tables must be spaced 2.5 metres apart.

All surfaces, tables and chairs must be sterilised after each use, hand sanitiser must be available at the entrance and single-use cutlery must be used unless there are thermal dishwashers.

Customers' body temperature should be checked before entering the facility, while buffet table, reception and hookah services will still be prohibited.

The authority has also carried out extensive inspection campaigns to ensure food outlets are complying with the precautionary measures.