- Testing continues for staff at the group's various divisions
- Extensive testing procedures in compliance with DHA guidelines
Al Habtoor Group (AHG), one of the UAE's leading business conglomerates is taking a step further in its social responsibility agenda, by ensuring its employees' safety and conducting COVID-19 tests for all staff members on duty at the group offices, with all staff tests fully paid for and provided by the Group. AHG is also conducting regular sterilisation sessions of its premises in order to keep all spaces and surfaces sanitised and prevent the spread of the infectious coronavirus.
The group, with extensive local and global interests in the hospitality, real estate, automotive, vehicle leasing and education sectors, has postponed all its events and the majority of employees are working from home, adhering to the health and preventative measures decreed by the Dubai Health authority to minimise contact.
AHG, which employs thousands of people, has already conducted extensive staff testing sessions at the AHG Head Office, Al Habtoor Real Estate, Habtoor Hospitality offices, and the currently active hotels Habtoor Palace, LXR Hotels & Resorts at the Al Habtoor City located on Sheikh Zayed and the Dubai Water Canal, and Habtoor Grand Resort, in Jumeirah Beach area.
Founding Chairman of AHG, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor as well his extended family members have been tested for COVID-19 as well, besides their household and estate staff members.
Al Habtoor said: "We are glad to work with the Dubai health authorities on the successful COVID-19 testing protocols conducted at our premises and properties, in line with the UAE's public health protection guidelines. The testing processes have gone smoothly and will continue in the coming weeks, as the health and safety of our staff remain of paramount importance.”
He added: "For 50 years now, AHG has lived by its motto - 'Growing with the UAE' - and this takes on a new meaning in these trying times. Our company continues to be guided by this value as we face the challenge of responding to the COVID-19 situation, which has impacted the whole world. We have been proactive, at the ready for the ease of lockdown in Dubai and the UAE, and are confident that we will emerge stronger after this period and ready to thrive in a new economy."
Currently, the group is in the process of conducting COVID-19 tests for staff at Al Habtoor Motors, Emirates International School (EIS), Diamondlease, as well as Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance (DNIR), a publicly listed company chaired by Al Habtoor. The extensive testing procedures are in compliance with the UAE government initiatives for early detection to prevent the spread of coronavirus, especially as the majority of cases tend to be asymptomatic and mild.
Staff members placed in quarantine are also being taken care of in special facilities arranged for them, in close coordination with the Department of Health in Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.