A total of 146 hotel and key tourism and retail establishments have successfully enrolled in the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s (DCT Abu Dhabi) Go Safe certification initiative which was launched in June to elevate and standardise hygiene and cleanliness levels across the emirate.

Louvre Abu Dhabi and W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island were among the first venues to obtain the certification and have been followed by the likes of Emirates Palace and the St Regis Abu Dhabi, along with key tourism sites Qasr Al Hosn and Cultural Foundation, in earning the new health and safety-focussed certification. With more establishments currently undergoing the assessment process, DCT Abu Dhabi aims to get the entire UAE capital Go Safe-certified by the end of August 2020.

The increase in the number of certified hotels and venues shows its increasing preparedness to welcome guests and visitors once more, with these establishments assessed against 313 checkpoints that measure the standard of safety measures implemented. These measures include the adoption of social distancing courses, checkpoints for temperature screenings and regular disinfection of all operational areas.

DCT Abu Dhabi, along with the government of Abu Dhabi, has also announced that regular COVID-19 testing for all tourism sector staff has been made mandatory.

Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, executive director of tourism and marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi said: “In a short amount of time, Go Safe has successfully become the benchmark for hygiene and safety levels in Abu Dhabi, blazing a trail in setting world-class standards in cleanliness and improved public health. Go Safe was created with our consumers’ concerns in mind, to help boost their trust and confidence and allow them to experience the best of Abu Dhabi all whilst feeling safe and reassured.”