The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has issued a new circular directing owners and managers of commercial and industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi to increase their on-site workforce to 60 per cent. The department has also reminded establishments on the importance of complying with the implemented set of precautionary measures issued by the Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Committee in the emirate to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
H.E. Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED, explained that the new circular details all the important measures and regulations that need to be followed based on the directives issued by the Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Committee, which took the public health and safety of employees in the private sector companies into consideration. The move is expected to help contribute in the reactivation of the business sector and economic activities–eventually leading to a gradual hike in productivity levels, which is seen as a key advantage to the private sector.
H.E. Al Balooshi pointed out that the instructions to be implemented by company owners and managers are focused towards maintaining the safety and protection of employees from COVID-19. The instructions include the need to conduct daily body temperature checks on employees; remote work guidelines for employees suffering from chronic diseases and other precautionary and preventive measures for administrative, technical, operational, and logistics jobs.
The circular also calls on company owners and managers to not rely on employees with low health risks to secure health and safety in the workplace and to exclude healthy-unqualified persons.
Furthermore, ADDED is urging establishments to direct employees with health risks to work remotely based on the type of work to be rendered and the company’s line of business. The department also highlighted the importance of conducting body temperature checks using a digital radiological examination device to prevent the entry of anyone showing symptoms of high-temperature or fever.
ADDED also affirmed the importance of directing employees and workers to using face masks and gloves during official working hours. In addition, ADDED also emphasized the use of floor stickers to comply with applying social distancing of at least two meters as well as informing the Department of Health in case any of the employees shows symptoms of high-temperature or fever. The circular also mentions the need to close and restrict places where crowds of five or more individuals can gather, noting the importance of periodic sterilization of surfaces that are exposed to frequent human contact.
ADDED further reiterated the importance of adhering to the terms and regulations of the circular, especially in the application of all its clauses. The department has designated inspection teams to conduct regular field visits to ensure compliance and to impose penalties on those found to be in violation of these procedures.
