Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi restaurants and cafes to operate at 80 per cent capacity

Outlets must continue to adhere to stringent safety measures, the emirates's Department of Economic Development stated

A waiter from Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant lays out a wax paper disposable table cloth before serving the customers some shrimp and crabs at the Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Customers at Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant put on their disposable gloves before having their lunch at the Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A waitress with a face mask, gloves and face shield from Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant serves a bag of shrimps and crabs to customers at the Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A waiter from Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant serves a bag of seafood goodness at the Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Socially distanced seating at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Social ditancing sign at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Socially distanced seating at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Socially distanced seating at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Sanitisers, gloves and face masks at the reception of 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A Maximum capacity sign at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Socially distanced seating at 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi restaurants are to be allowed to operate at 80 per cent capacity, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The emirate's Department of Economic Development  (DED) approved the move in line with efforts to support traders during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The directive covers restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, other licensed food outlets, catering services and hospitality services both in and outside of malls.

Establishments must continue to adhere to safety measures in place to contain the spread of the virus.

Food outlets suspended dine-in operations in March to help stem the spread of Covid-19.

Venues were given the green-light to re-open in May, initially at a 30 per cent capacity.

This figure has gradually risen as safety restrictions slowly eased.

Last month, the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority increased capacity levels for restaurants across the country to 60 per cent.

A circular issued by the DED reiterated a raft of precautionary measures would remain in place, including:

• Employees must undergo DPI laser tests every two weeks at designated centres and will be subject to temperature checks at the workplace every two hours
• Face masks and gloves must be worn
• Staff will have their body temperatures checked on arrival using an infared thermometer
• Vulnerable employees will not be permitted to return to work, with only those deemed at low-risk from the virus allowed to be in their place of work
• Floor signage must still be displayed, indicating people keep a distance of at least two metres apart
• There remains a maximum of four customers per table