Abu Dhabi launches Covid-19 self-assessment safety certification for hotels, tourist destinations

Abu Dhabi has launched a new ‘Go Safe’ self-assessment certification programme to implement health and safety precautions across hotels and other tourist sites in the emirate.

The programme launched on Saturday in coordination with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) is reportedly the first of its kind in the region and will require entities to undergo guided self-assessments according to guidelines issued by DCT in order “to address elevated standards in light of Covid-19.”

The certification will cover malls, theme parks, restaurants and public spaces too.

It aims “to enforce global standards for safety and cleanliness at hotels, attractions and venues across the emirate” and to “ensure that hotels and attractions are in the best position to welcome visitors,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office tweeted on Saturday.

In line with #AbuDhabi’s efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19, @dctabudhabi launches the Go Safe certification programme to implement the highest health and safety standards across hotels and tourist attractions. pic.twitter.com/WpWVB5ncXb

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 20, 2020

The self-assessments will be verified through on-site inspections conducted by dedicated teams to ensure that the conditions are met.

Once verified, the entities will be awarded the Go Safe certificate.

“The launch of Go Safe goes hand-in-hand with the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government to combat the spread of diseases, which include widespread testing, city-wide sanitation, social distancing, and enhancing healthcare services,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi

“Being the first of its kind in the region, the programme is the initial step in our new tourism approach – one that puts consumer priorities and concerns at the forefront. We will be announcing other initiatives and programmes that were created with the help of the Abu Dhabi government to complement this strategy and ensure the safety of our visitors and residents alike,” added Al Shaiba.

On May 19, DCT Abu Dhabi confirmed that it had planned to launch a certification programme to standardise cleanliness and hygiene levels in the tourism sector.

Read: Abu Dhabi launches clean certification programme for tourism

Last week, it issued a set of guidelines that would govern the reopening of museums and other cultural sites including mandating that these institutions will not be permitted to operate at more than 40 per cent of their capacity.

Read more: Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for reopening museums, cultural sites

A number of cultural attractions will reopen from June 24 including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn, Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Jahili Fort and Al Ain Palace Museum, among others.

Meanwhile, officials added last week that restaurants, cafés and coffee shops outside shopping malls will also be allowed to subsequently reopen. However, they too would need to cap their visitor occupancy at 40 per cent and must deny entry to those above 60, children below 12 and people with chronic diseases.

Read also: Abu Dhabi restaurants, cafés must cap occupancy at 40%; restrict entry for customers below 12 and above 60