Dubai updates COVID-19 workplace, elevator protocols, reduces social distancing
Dubai updated its COVID-19 safety protocols for offices, workplaces and elevators, allowing maximum capacity in elevators and reducing physical distancing, according to a government circular released by the Department of Economic Development (DED) on Sunday.
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“Maximum capacity [is] allowed in elevators, with no limit specified on [the] number of people,” the statement read. “Social distancing guidelines must be adhered to, and face masks worn while inside elevators.”
Social distancing, the requirement which previously involved keeping a safe two-meter distance between employees, has been reduced to one meter.
However, all employees will still have to wear face masks.
“All employees must follow the safety instructions as well as precautionary measures applicable, and are advised to get vaccinated against COVID-19,” the statement added.
The revised rules apply to private companies functioning in Dubai.
Abu Dhabi: Negative test no longer required to cross border
Abu Dhabi also announced a series of changes to its COVID-19 measures on Saturday including scrapping the PCR testing requirement at its border.
Authorities also announced that international visitors and anyone who came into contact with a COVID-positive case will no longer need to wear a tracker when quarantining at home.
Drop in UAE COVID cases
The decisions come as the UAE records a series of new lows in daily coronavirus cases, with Abu Dhabi recording a 0.2 percent infection rate last week, according to data from the city’s crisis committee.
The country diagnosed 471 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and just 391 on Sunday. The coronavirus death toll now sits at 2,075, total diagnosed cases since the pandemic’s onset are at 732,690 and total recoveries 724,446.
The UAE’s active cases also decreased to 6,169 on Sunday.
COVID-19 vaccines in UAE
Over 19.4 million vaccine doses have already been administered, with the majority of the country already vaccinated with at least two shots, according to the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.
More than 80 percent of the country’s population has been vaccinated against COVID-19. This number is expected to rise soon as the country’s booster shots rollout begins to gain ground.
According to COVID-19 data from Reuters, the UAE averaged at around 75,368 vaccine shots administered per day. If the country continues to inoculate at that rate, Reuters estimates that it will take a further 26 days to administer enough doses to immunize another 10 percent of the population.
Read more:
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UAE diagnoses 471 new COVID-19 infections, two deaths
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Abu Dhabi to remove COVID-19 testing requirement at border starting Sep. 19