Coronavirus: Ras Al Khaimah certifies ‘stay safe’ hotels with daily spot checks

The Rixos Bab Al Bahr hotel in Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy: Rixos

Hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are being certified as ‘stay safe’ properties to put guests at ease who are looking to check into hotels in the city.

Staff members at all hotels are being tested for the symptoms with spot inspections in place.

As the UAE government eases Covid-19 restrictions, hotels across the country are heralding the return of domestic tourism as residents seek getaways amid the pandemic.

However, strict safety measures and preventive checks have been put in place to control the spread of the virus.

All staff members at hotels and their private beaches in the emirate are being tested for Covid-19.

Inspectors from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will also conduct daily spot checks to ensure preventive and hygiene measures are in place.

According to the authority, there are several regulations hotels must now adhere to.

Hotels have been asked to submit an application which details the safety measures in place to secure an official ‘stay safe’ hotel certification.

These applications are vetted by the emirate’s Public Service Department and the tourism authority.

The Hilton Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah. Courtesy Hilton

If hoteliers meet the criteria, the authorities will certify them as safe hotels to check into.

“In Ras Al Khaimah, current hospitality standards and procedures include testing of all hotel staff for Covid-19, provision of masks and gloves for all guests, allocation of separate entrances and exits for guests and staff and mandatory thermal screening at all entrances on arrival,” said the authority in a statement.

Hoteliers have also been asked to follow guidelines on guest transportation, housekeeping, laundry and waste management.

In-room dining services have been extended to limit the number of diners in restaurants.

The big size of hotels in the city will help in following social distancing rules.

The ‘stay safe’ certificate assesses safety measures in different parts of the properties. These include reception and concierge areas, guest rooms, restrooms, restaurants and lounges, pools, beaches, spas fitness areas, kid clubs and retail spaces.

Escalators are cleaned every 20 minutes at Yas Mall as part of strict measures in place to combat Covid-19. All pictures by Victor Besa/The National

Staff and shoppers must adhere to safety measures at Yas Mall

Yas Mall opened its doors again earlier this month after a shutdown period due to the coronavirus pandemic

Paul's Cafe workers happy to be back at work. (L-R) Donabelle Bote, Elcon Mabarejes and Ellis Jamisola.

Yas Mall will be open from noon to 9pm during Ramadan

Yas Mall is operating at 30 per cent capacity in order to limit health risks to the public

A cashier wears a face mask and gloves in line with government measures to protect the public

A security worke carries out a check on a visitor at Yas Mall

Malls across the UAE have been allowed to reopen as long as they comply with health and safety measures

Yas Mall is one of a number of shopping centres which have reopened in line with a government strategy to ease restrictions on trade and travel

Shoppers venture out to Yas Mall on Saturday

Shoppers must still abide by social distancing practices while in the mall and wear masks and gloves

The official guidelines are based on advisories from the World Health Organisation, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the UAE federal authorities.

“We are working closely with our hospitality partners and government authorities to ensure the highest standards of hygiene are maintained and that all social distancing advisories are strictly adhered to across the emirate,” said Raki Phillips, chief executive of the authority.

“To help reassure our guests, colleagues and residents, we have also introduced the RAK ‘stay safe’ hotel certification that, once awarded, hotels can use to demonstrate their adoption of all the measures in place to protect everyone’s wellbeing.

“We know that many people are looking forward to what we’ve termed a ‘shortcation’ or longer holiday and our aim is to give them the confidence that they can comfortably enjoy their time in Ras Al Khaimah.”

On Wednesday, public parks and hotel beaches began reopening in Dubai, allowing groups of up to five people, under new rules governing the relaxation of movement restrictions.

Police officials earlier said that travel between the emirates is allowed as long as residents are off the roads and indoors between 10pm and 6am, which paves the way for personal, business travel and staycations.