The Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi has released detailed guidelines concerning the emirate’s hotels in preparation for permission to reopen establishments such as restaurants, lounges, bars, beaches, pools, and gyms.
Hotel facilities that have been closed due to health and safety preventive measures imposed to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, will now be able to reopen and recommence trading once approval is given from DCT Abu Dhabi. To receive approval, the hotels must meet all the measures in the document which DCT has gathered.
“As per our mandate to support and guide the tourism sector in Abu Dhabi in all aspects, the set of measures we have shared with our hotel partners will ensure that not only will they be able to resume trading at the earliest opportunity, but that when they do they will be following guidelines which will keep all members of the community safe and secure,” stated Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.
According to an announcement released by the department, the guidelines define “readiness assurance requirements” which include general measurements, social distancing, crowd-control and regulations for employees’ safety.
“The guidelines set out stringent criteria for the hotels to follow, which our inspectors will confirm with on-site visits. Once these high standards of health and safety are met, DCT Abu Dhabi will approve the reopening, and trading can resume. We are adamant that both hotel staff and visitors should be 100 per cent confident in their own safety, as we start the resumption of ‘normal’ activities since the pandemic situation arose,” he added.
Additionally, facilities are required to provide hand sanitisers at entrances, sterilise surfaces on a regular basis, clear and separate entry and exit points, and the installation of thermal cameras which have been incorporated with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority system.
No entertainment activities will be permitted, and visitors will only be authorised to visit the facilities for three hours. Establishments will continue to be at 30 per cent capacity and restaurants and lounges will be asked to indicate the maximum number of authorise clients are already inside.
All visitors must wear masks and are encouraged to use ‘smart’ payment methods to reduce contacts and contamination. An isolation room will be mandatory to isolate presumed coronavirus cases and a medical team that is on call during operating hours.
Photo: Supplied
