Dubai Economy has directed commercial establishments in the emirate to close down for two weeks starting today in line with the preventive measures announced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a press release issued by Dubai Economy on Wednesday, all shops – except for grocery stores, supermarkets, cooperative societies, and pharmacies that provide for the basic needs of residents – have to remain closed from today up until April 8, 2020.

Businesses closing down can continue online sales and e-Commerce activities during the closure period, it added. Dubai Economy has allowed supermarkets, cooperative societies, grocery stores and pharmacies to remain open 24/7 starting today.

However, the number of shoppers at any time in these outlets must not exceed 30 per cent of capacity and customers should maintain a social distance of two metres from each other.

The closure directive applies to commercial outlets across the main markets as well as streets and shopping malls in Dubai.

Dubai Economy will conduct inspection campaigns to ensure that commercial establishments adhere to all the guidelines in the closure circular.