Dubai:The Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA) has announced that licensed civil society organizations in the emirate can now resume their operations after their weeks-long efforts to comply with proper precautionary measures and guidelines enforced by CDA. The guidelines protocols include how to proceed their activities while ensuring the protection and safety of their staff and members of the local communities.

With the UAE gradually reopening its economy and allowing the resumption of some activities, CDA has come up with its list of general guidelines and precautionary measures for civil society organizations. Its basic guidelines include the resumption of operations at 50 per cent capacity, social distancing and regular sterilization and disinfection of the facilities by one of the service providers accredited by Dubai Municipality. CDA also formed a team to conduct field visits to the civil society organizations, check their compliance level, follow up on their implementation of the existing measures and provide consultations and advice to ensure their readiness for the reopening.

Dr. Omar Al Muthanna, CEO, Licensing & Monitoring Sector, CDA, said that the Authority  had worked closely with the licensed civil society organizations in the past weeks to find effective solutions that will ensure safe holding of their various activities and services. This way, the organizations could reopen without compromising the safety and health of their staff members and visitors.

As part of its precautionary guidelines, the CDA has mandated the organizations to conduct the following: provide thermal detectors, refrain from holding large gatherings inside the building and conform to the instructions and directives issued by relevant authorities.

He said: “Amid the UAE’s efforts to start its recovery process while strictly implementing public safety and health guidelines, CDA has reviewed existing national measures issued by public authorities who  are in charge of permits for different activities across sectors, including sports, education and health, before allowing the civil society organizations to resume their operations. A customized plan has been developed for each one of them to ensure the safe and gradual return of their activities.”

Al Muthanna added: “The CDA has directed all civil society organizations to abide by the protocols for a safe reopening. Their capacity should not exceed 50 per cent, and they should still refrain from holding large gatherings. For their special activities, the groups are required to secure approvals from all concerned entities or follow certain guidelines for specific activities and establishments such as sports, restaurants, education, entertainment and retail, among others.”’

A total of 92 civil society organizations will benefit from the CDA’s decree. The CDA urged the civil society organizations and their employees to download the ‘Al-Hosn’ application to remain updated with the latest developments about the pandemic.