UAE covid 19
File image: A man wearing a protective mask stands at a racetrack overlooking Dubai Image Credit: AFP

Dubai: Dubai has directed all private sector establishments to start a work-from-home scheme for 80 per cent of their employees on Wednesday.

The Dubai Economy directive is to be followed starting today — Wednesday, March 25 — to Thursday, April 9.

The businesses exempt from the decision have also been announced. Pharmacies, grocery stores, supermarkets and cooperative societies are exempt from the directive according to the Dubai Economy.

Exempted sectors

In a subsequent post at about 9.50pm, the DED clarified that the 80% work-from-home mandate for all companies exempts the following:

  • Health sector
  • Pharmaceutical sector
  • Food Retail outlets (including animal feed)
  • Industrial and Manufacturing
  • Construction, Contracting and Building Materials
  • Security Services
  • Logistics & Delivery Services
  • Supply Chain
  • Workshop
  • Cleaning Services
  • Cash transport
  • Banking sector

The UAE has reported 333 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 52 recoveries. Schools in the country have adopted e-learning as part of the precautionary measures taken up. All commercial establishments, with essential exemptions, will also close in Dubai starting March 25 until April 8.

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