With restrictions being eased across Dubai during Ramadan, here’s what you need to know about heading to the mall for your latest home and interior buys
Coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan for 2020 (April 23rd), Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has loosened restrictions previously placed on its residents, citizens and businesses aimed to halt the spread of coronavirus.
No longer is a permit required to go out for essentials (permits were previously only granted once in a set number of days) and shops and restaurants have been allowed to reopen – if they adhere to strict conditions when doing so.
And for those of us in the process of home renovations or who have been craving an interior revamp while staying home, this means we can now get to many of our favourite homeware stores.
So, if you’ve already written your IKEA shopping list, here’s what you need to know as restrictions are eased.
Which malls in Dubai are now open?
Dubai is famous for its malls, and residents of the UAE love visiting the supersized shopping centres to get everything we need (and plenty that we don’t) under one roof.
So good news; The Dubai Mall such as is set to re-open on Tuesday, April 28th, alongside the Dubai’s Marina Mall. The former houses homeware stores such as Zara Home, Crate & Barrel, Blomingdale’s Home, Lakeland and more.
Mall of the Emirates (Lifestyle at Centrepoint, Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Home Centre, Al Jaber Gallery are just some of the home furnishing and interior stores it inhabits) has also reopened partially. Shops will open between 12pm and 10pm, but entertainment outlets such as the cinema and Ski Dubai are still keeping doors closed.
As of Saturday, April 25th, Dubai Festival City Mall, Festival Plaza, Burjuman in Bur Dubai and City Centre Mirdif reopened their doors, too.
What are the rules when shopping?
Yes, malls have opened, but that does not mean the rulebook has been thrown out the window.
Generally, it is still advised to visit the malls for essentials over leisurely shopping trips. Social distancing (which suggests a physical distance of two metres is kept between shoppers) is still advised if not enforced, and capacity of stores, eateries and the mall at large will be monitored. Restaurants, for example, will only be able to operate at 30 per cent capacity.
Malls will open during Ramadan between 12pm and 10pm and some – such as The Dubai Mall – are putting a time limit of three hours on for trips to customers.
Masks must be worn, gloves may still be required in certain shops, temperature checks are being carried out upon entry and people over 60 and children under 12 are not allowed to visit malls.
Contactless payment is advised throughout, while valet parking will not be an option. Car parks will hit maximum capacity at 35 per cent of its usual spaces to limit the numbers of incoming shoppers, too.
In need of a mask? Here’s how to make your own using fabric at home.
Are all shops, restaurants and venues in the malls set to reopen?
While it’s a positive step, everything has not to returned to normal just yet. Restaurants can open at a 30 per cent capacity, and shops can open following the above guidelines.
However, the reopening of malls does not mean all stores will automatically begin trading once again – check directly before heading out if your sole purpose is to visit one store in particular.
Entertainment outlets are not open, while hairdressers and beauty salons are open to customer who have made an appointment beforehand, and must not run at full capacity. At the time of writing, 17 beauty salon across Dubai have already been shut due to violating the conditions for reopening.
IKEA to Home Centre – which home and interior stores have now reopened?
Rejoice – IKEA has opened its door between 12pm and 9pm, again advising shoppers to fit their trip into a three hour slot.
Likewise, certain Home Centre stores have re-opened between 12pm and 9pm too. In Dubai, this includes Oasis Mall, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira.
Alongside the update on Instagram, the home interior store reinforced: “All mandatory precautions in line with government directives have been put in place and we would urge you to follow these preventive measures for your own safety and the safety of others; Maintain a minimum of 2 meters social distance; Wear a mask at all times; Wash and sanitize your hands regularly; Opt for contactless or smart payments.”
Homebox will open in Oasis Mall and Centerpoint-Bur Dubai from 12pm and 10pm, too. Check the Instagram pages of your favourite brands to find out whether they’ve opened up shop or not.
Alternatively, these homeware brands are still offering deliveries, too.
What about garden centres?
According to The Garden Centre Dubai’s social media, its Sheikh Zayed Road location and Jumeirah store likewise opened on the 25th.
For updates on your favourite garden centres, head to their social media channels.
Need inspiration to do up your home for the festive period? See these quick styling tips to get your home Ramadan-ready in a hurry.