DUBAI — Abu Dhabi and Dubai have made elaborate plans to reopen malls and shopping centers on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan, according to circulars issued by the concerned authorities of the two emirates. The circulars outline a number of precautionary measures, including mandatory operating hours and limits on employees and customer capacity to be followed. According to the circular issued by the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, it says the consultation with stakeholders is underway on reopening of malls. The department has reached out to owners and managers of shopping centers and malls. As per the guidelines, malls in Abu Dhabi will only be open to the public between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. However, pharmacies and money exchange houses will be allowed to operate from 9 a.m. till midnight. Meanwhile, the document issued by Dubai’s Department of Economic Development has stipulated strict guidelines to be followed by malls, including a ban on children and old people. Malls in Dubai will have to follow strict guidelines including a ban on children and old people once they reopen their doors to customers, according to new a document issued by the city’s Department of Economic Development (DED) Wednesday. “All businesses must take the necessary measures and precautions to be in compliance with the guidelines & protocols detailed in this document, prior to reopening and continue to do so on resuming their operations,” the document listing the new protocols said. According to the guidelines issued by the authorities in both the emirates, the visitor volume will be limited to 30 percent of the mall’s capacity, with visitors allowed a maximum of three hours inside the mall. All touch screens will be disabled, available parking spaces will be cut by 50 percent in Abu Dhabi and 75 percent in Dubai, and entry will be denied to visitors above the age of 60 in both emirates. In Dubai, entry will also be barred for children between the ages of two and 13, according to a report in CNBC. — SG