New Rules for Dubai malls, retailers, construction and offices ahead of Stage 1 reopening

 

Dubai Economy issued a circular overnight, which details how malls and retailers in Dubai should prepare for the first stage of reopening, following the four-week closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 
April 23, 2020 Business
 

New Rules for Dubai malls, retailers, construction and offices ahead of Stage 1 reopening
 

While an official announcement regarding the reopening of Dubai’s malls and shopping centres is yet to be made, Dubai Economy urges businesses to ready themselves by following a strict list of guidelines and protocols.

Under the new guidelines, shopping malls, high street stores, souqs and wholesale markets will be allowed to operate for 10 hours a day, with their capacity limited to 30 per cent.

To help keep numbers down, shoppers can only spend three hours in each establishment. During this first stage of reopening, people aged 60 and above, and children aged three to 12, will not be allowed to enter.

Anyone entering the mall or shopping centre must have their temperature screened as part of a health check, and malls must provide masks to be worn at all times.

Entertainment centres, tourist attractions, changing rooms, prayer rooms and cinemas will remain closed for now. Food and beverage outlets are also capped at 30 per cent capacity, and tables must be spaced at least two metres apart.

Extra cleaning and sanitation measures must also be in place, and shoppers are encouraged to use smart payment methods, such as credit cards and debit cards, over cash.

The announcement from Dubai Economy notes that “All businesses must take the necessary measures and precautions to be in compliance with the guidelines and protocols. Once the reopening is announced, businesses can reopen after they have complied with the guidelines and protocols.”

It’s a promising sign that coronavirus restrictions in Dubai may soon begin to ease.

 

MORE FROM BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Fire and life Safety Experts Reaffirm Commitment to Global Collaboration at the NFPA Conference
Fire and life Safety Experts Reaffirm Commitment to Global Collaboration at the NFPA Conference

Brigadier General Mohamed Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, Civil Defence General at the Ministry of Interior in Abu Dhabi, was re-elected to a second three-year term on the NFPA Board of Directors, reflecting his continued contribution to the organization’s mission

July 16, 2026 USA Business
5 Communities Shaping Abu Dhabi's Residential Market
5 Communities Shaping Abu Dhabi's Residential Market

Luxury property advisory points to ADGM, government-backed master-plans and robust FDI as signs of the capital's long-term investment strength

July 16, 2026 UAE Real Estate
Dubai Helps Build A Life For People To Thrive: A Developer's Perspective
Dubai Helps Build A Life For People To Thrive: A Developer's Perspective

The communities being created today must reflect what the new authority stands for, in every decision made, from the materials chosen to the way communities are designed and the standards they are built to

July 16, 2026 UAE Real Estate
Modon Holding Partners with Nammos to Launch Luxury Destination in Egypt’s $35B Ras El Hekma
Modon Holding Partners with Nammos to Launch Luxury Destination in Egypt’s $35B Ras El Hekma

According to developers, the new project will bring together a signature luxury resort, branded private residences, a curated retail village, premium wellness facilities, and the globally famous Nammos Restaurant & Beach Club

July 16, 2026 Egypt Business
Emrill's New Central Warehouse to Aid Operational Efficiency Notes CEO Stuart Harrison
Emrill's New Central Warehouse to Aid Operational Efficiency Notes CEO Stuart Harrison

The facility has been designed to improve response times, streamline material distribution and strengthen inventory management processes

July 14, 2026 UAE IFM
Green Horizon Awards Meriden Beach Residences Construction Contract to Strong Walls
Green Horizon Awards Meriden Beach Residences Construction Contract to Strong Walls

The development is located on Island A of Dubai Islands, one of Dubai's most anticipated waterfront destinations

July 14, 2026 UAE Real Estate
Why Robotic Cleaning in High-footfall Environments Sets New Standards for Scale, Safety and Sustainability
Why Robotic Cleaning in High-footfall Environments Sets New Standards for Scale, Safety and Sustainability

The transition from labor-intensive to technology-driven service models is enabling facilities management (FM) providers to raise operational efficiency standards

July 14, 2026 UAE IFM
Facilio ushers in the AI-native era of CMMS
Facilio ushers in the AI-native era of CMMS

New AI-native capabilities automate and simplify FM workflows making facilities operations faster, more accessible, and easier to run.

July 2, 2026
MRI Software Launches Agora Intelligence and Agora Orchestrator
MRI Software Launches Agora Intelligence and Agora Orchestrator

The platform delivers AI-powered recommendations and workflow execution for real estate

June 26, 2026 UAE PropTech
Berkeley Services Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal, Ranking Among the Top 15% of Companies Assessed Globally
Berkeley Services Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal, Ranking Among the Top 15% of Companies Assessed Globally

EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted and widely recognised providers of business sustainability ratings, evaluating more than 150,000 companies across over 185 countries and 250 industries

June 25, 2026 UAE Sustainability
 
Subscribe to our newsletter