Coronavirus: restaurants and malls to operate at 60 per cent capacity

Officials said no more than four customers should share a table

Restaurants and malls in the UAE have been allowed to operate at 60 per cent capacity. AFP / Prakash Singh

UAE authorities have announced restaurants and shopping malls can now operate at 60 per cent capacity.

In a statement late on Thursday, officials stressed the need for residents to continue to behave responsibly as various coronavirus measures were eased.

The number of customers sharing a table at a restaurant should not exceed four and friends should still keep two metres apart.

Waiting to be seated areas will continue to be closed and masks and gloves should also still be worn.

Officials also said staff should be regularly temperature tested and that business premises should be cleaned frequently.

"The decision has been taken to increase the percentage of capacity of the general public at commercial centres and restaurants to 60 per cent,” a statement from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said.

“Society [should] follow all precautions and guidelines to continue to battle the spread of Covid-19.”