The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) is now permitting the owners and operational managers of recreational and entertainment play centres inside and outside malls and commercial centres in Abu Dhabi to reopen for public use. This announcement comes in accordance to the measures put in place to ensure safety and health of communities as per the directives of Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 pandemic.

Under secretary of ADDED, Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi said that the announcement falls in accordance with the latest circulars issued by ADDED to resume economic activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The measures are following guidelines which are implemented to preserve health, security and safety of all members of community.

“The restoration of amusement and entertainment centres and electronic gaming venues represent an important step towards revitalising the community and the gathering areas of the members of the Abu Dhabi community and providing safe and entertaining means to enhance the public's confidence to return to recreational and tourism activities,” he added.

ADDED has specified in its circulars extended to owners and managers of these centres the precautionary measures and controls to be followed in detail to help curb the Covid-19 spread. The most important measures mentioned are daily and periodic sterilization procedures, availability of hand sterilisers at all public places and payment points, and disinfecting all children’s equipment and games.

ADDED has stressed on the importance of all employees in these play halls to undergo Covid-19 test and not to start working before they are sure that they are free from any infection. Staff is to wash their hands periodically and maintain social distancing between visitors and workers by at least 2 metres. Use of signs on ground of advising physical distancing is mentioned in circulars, along with thermal checks for all workers periodically, wearing masks and gloves at all times and changing them periodically.

ADDED has also asked owners to encourage contactless payment options to avoid infection transmission by contact, measure temperatures of visitors at entry points and to deny entry to any visitor if they have Covid-19 symptoms. Also visitors without masks are to be prohibited from entering the centre premises.

The department has mentioned the procedures and measures in detail specifically to games areas that use plastic balls. The game capacity must not exceed 30% of total, deep sterilization of area of plastic ball games once every hour and also at the end of working day is stressed upon.

WAM