Businesses in Dubai will no longer be required to use thermal scanners or conduct Covid-19 temperature checks from January 1 under new guidelines.
Commercial establishments such as malls were allowed to reopen in late April in line with strict safety measures, which included temperature checks for customers and employees.
Malls were initially limited to 30 per cent capacity as part of a gradual reopening of the economy before being allowed to fully reopen in June.
Dubai's Department of Economic Development said safety measures would be eased for the new year in a circular on its Twitter account on Wednesday.
Customers entering premises must still wear face masks if mandated and keep two metres part in line with social distancing practices.
The authority also removed the need for valets to cover seats and steering wheels with plastic when parking vehicles.
إليكم التحديث على القواعد الإرشادية والبروتوكولات المعنية بإعادة الافتتاح في إمارة دبي، اعتبارا من تاريخ 1 يناير 2021.
— اقتصادية دبي (@Dubai_DED) December 30, 2020
Here are the updates on the protocols and regulations to be followed with the re-opening of the emirate of Dubai, effective 1st of January 2021. pic.twitter.com/vJjc288j6C
The department carried out extensive safety inspections at premises, including restaurants, shopping centres, open markets and gyms, in recent months to ensure traders were abiding by Covid-19 regulations.
Several premises were shut down or hit with fines for flouting rules such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and social distancing practices.
In the latest round of inspections, the authority praised the compliance of businesses after no warnings, fines or closures were necessary.
