Dubai's historic Gold Souq is back open for business as part of efforts to ease restrictions on trade and travel put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
The sprawling Deira attraction - home to hundreds of jewellery stores - is adhering to strict safety measures in order to protect the health of customers and workers alike.
Stores in the landmark venue are following reduced opening hours of 11am to 9am, with wholesale offices open from 1oam to 5pm.
The souq must also operate at 30 per cent capacity in line with a government strategy to limit the risk of infections.
Precautionary measures observed by outlets include physical distancing within stores, provision of sanitisers, face masks and gloves to staff and customers and sanitisation of jewellery.
“We express our sincere gratitude to the leaders of this country, all government entities, Dubai Police, CID and first responders who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point," said Tawhid Abdulla, chairman of Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, the trade body for the gold and diamond jewellery sector.
"By reopening the Deira Gold souq with a strong focus on safe practices, the UAE leadership has once again shown that we can maintain our resilience amidst crises of any magnitude.”
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers, prior to opening, the Deira Gold Souq and its stores underwent a complete and extensive sterilisation programme under the strict guidelines of the Department of Economic Development (DED).
