Combatting COVID-19: UAE issues guidelines for reopening of hotels

A new set of guidelines have been issued for hotels in the UAE to ensure that guests and staff remain safe as the hospitality sector resumes operations.

Published by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, the manual states that all hotel staff must undergo COVID-19 screening before the reopening, with a retest scheduled every 15 days.

Temperature scanners and thermal cameras will be placed at the property, with staff screened several times during the day.

Guests showing symptoms will be denied access to the hotel, and moved to dedicated isolation rooms that each hotel must set up near the main entrance. 

A 24-hour gap must be maintained between guests leaving a room and the next guests arriving.

Restaurants, cafes, gyms and swimming pools will have a cap on capacity, with all users having their temperatures checked before entry and the facilities regularly sanitised.

Beaches must be divided into sections with a cap on capacity to avoid overcrowding, while restaurants and cafes will be open from 6:00 am till 9:00 pm, with tables of four diners spaced 2.5 metres apart.

Kids play areas and prayer rooms will remain closed as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, each emirate is also allowed to introduce additional guidelines to ensure public health and safety.

Authorities added that regular inspections will be carried out, with violators set to face legal action.