Supermarkets and Pharmacies allowed to open 24 hours in UAE

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA, Pharmacies, and food retail outlets in the UAE, including cooperative societies, grocery stores, and supermarkets, will be allowed to operate 24 hours, provided shoppers inside do not exceed 30 per cent of the total capacity.

“All bodies concerned have to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures taken by the state’s competent bodies to ensure public safety and people’s well-being,” they said in a joint statement. Shoppers should also leave a safe distance of two meters as per social distancing guidelines.

Staff at these outlets must also adhere to precautionary health and safety rules imposed by competent authorities. The decision would be subject to further review and assessment. All malls in the country will be closed for two weeks starting Wednesday as part of the country’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The UAE announced 50 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, and the recovery of four people. The total number of confirmed cases in the UAE now stands at 248.