UAE Guidelines Issued for Returning to Work | ExpatWoman.com
 

UAE Guidelines Issued for Returning to Work

These are the latest UAE guidelines and precautionary measures for residents returning to work at the office

Posted on

17 May 2020

Last updated on 17 May 2020
Returning to work guidelines in UAE

The new rules include who is eligible to resume working at the office, social distancing, and more.

While workers who can operate from home are advised to continue to do so, the latest guidelines for returning office employees in Abu Dhabi emerged.

If you’ve been working from home since the pandemic and you’re returning to your old desk, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) released new rules and precautionary measures for offices and workplaces across the capital.

The new guidelines also include additional measures for specific work sectors.

Who can return to work at the office?

Not everyone in the workforce is allowed to return to their workplace. The following are eligible to resume work at the office:

  • Staff between 18 to 55 years old
  • Low-risk and have no chronic diseases
  • Lives alone or with low-risk individuals

Staff who are currently not allowed to return to the office are:

  • Staff above 55 years old
  • Pregnant women
  • Workers who live with a high-risk individual, including children below 12, elderly aged 60 and above, and those with chronic diseases

“Parents may choose to work from home while schools remain closed,” the announcement said.

Ineligible staff members must be exempt from pressure and penalties from being unable to return to the office.

Workplace updates for Covid-19

Work hours

The directive of a maximum six-hour work shift is still in place during Ramadan. After the Holy Month, normal operating hours can resume.

Office rules

Only 30% of staff are allowed in an office.

Maximum 3 people are allowed in a building elevator.

Staff pantries in Abu Dhabi can be used for consuming food and drinks with disposable utensils.

All staff must maintain a two-metre social distance.

Workplace rules for Abu Dhabi retailers

The official announcement included the following:

  • Staff must wear face masks and gloves at all times
  • No physical contact between staff and customers
  • Seperate the entry and exit points
  • Contactless payments only
  • If possible, seperate staff from customers with a plastic shield
  • Encourage face masks and gloves among customers
  • Staff must be tested and cleared before working