In the light of the current circumstances due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Rulers and Government of Dubai and UAE have taken the following steps for the benefit of its citizens and residents:
- StayHome campaign which focuses on making sure that residents stay home at all times unless absolutely necessary.
- A Massive sterilization drive as part of the National Disinfection Programme by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection and the Ministry of Interior has been adopted across the UAE to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The sterilization program occurs every night from 8pm to 6am and will go on until April 5.
- The Department of Economic Development in Dubai has directed all private sector companies and commercial establishments to implement remote working for a minimum of 80% of employees until (including) 9th April 2020.
- Dubai Free Zones Council announced a business stimulus package complimenting the previous packages announced by the UAE Government and the Emirate of Dubai. This package included deferral of rent payments for up to six months, reimbursement of guarantees and security deposits, facilitating financial payments through easy installments on a monthly basis, cancellation of penalties and allowing the transfer of labor between free zones provided necessary arrangements and contracts are in place with the employees.
- In specific, the JAFZA, DDA, DMCC, DUBAI SOUTH & DIFC free zones have confirmed their support to this stimulus package and have announced further initiatives such as- waiving fines on expired licenses, waiver of registration fees for new licenses, postponement of lease and registration fees for up to 6 months for new licenses, cancellation of fines on license expiries, reduction of 50% of new companies and 30% for existing companies on renewal and amendment fees etc.
- A list of fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 50,000 has been issued under the Resolution No. 38 of 2020 following Cabinet Decision No. 17 of 2020 regarding the Implementation Regulation of spreading Communicable Diseases. With more than 15 penalties, the authorities aim to curb all possible ways to spread of the corona virus in the UAE.
We are sure that these measures will bring a huge relief to the companies and individuals in UAE and will allow them to survive the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Senior Legal Consultant, Corporate & Commercial