UAE: Malls train staff to admit only green pass holders in Abu Dhabi

Shopping malls and large supermarkets in Abu Dhabi have trained their staff on the new green pass requirement and will deploy more security guards at the entrance points to ensure that only green pass holders gain entry.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi announced last week that residents must have a green pass on their Alhosn app to gain entry to most public places. The rule will come into effect from Tuesday, June 15, and apply to those aged 16 and above.

The public places include shopping malls and large supermarkets, gyms, hotels, public parks and beaches, private beaches and swimming pools, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, and restaurants and cafes.

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The mall managements said they will display information about the new green pass requirement at the entrances and have trained the security teams for quick and effective verification of the green pass to avoid delays.

Aravind Ravi, General Manager of Mushrif Mall and The Market said: “We have trained our security guards on how to handle the shoppers as they check the Alhosn app to ensure that only green pass holders enter the mall.

“It should take only five to 10 seconds for a security guard to verify the Alhosn app for each visitor to avoid long queues and commotion at the entrance. We will ensure adherence to social distancing measures as we are keen on people’s safety.”

Ravi added that starting from Monday, June 14, the management shall roll out an awareness campaign through their social media platforms and posters inside parking lots to inform their customers about the new procedures so they can only visit the mall when they have a green pass on the Alhosn app.

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Melvin Mathew, from Marina Mall’s marketing and communication department, said the mall’s security operations department has chalked out measures, including increasing on the number of staff at the entry points to ensure effective implementation of the new norms while making it convenient to shoppers.

“All mall entrances will carry information about the new procedures and the security guards at the entrances will have to ensure that everyone has a green pass on their Alhosn app to gain entry,” said Mathew.

V. Nandakumar, Lulu Group’s director – marketing and communications, said: “We have trained our security team for quick and effective verification of the green pass so as to avoid unnecessary delays or inconvenience to shoppers.

“We are also planning to tie-up with certain healthcare providers to facilitate free PCR tests in our mall premises for our shoppers”.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com