Back in March 2020, when the realities of the pandemic were approaching the UAE shores, facilities management (FM) firms in the region were already on the frontlines – locked and loaded (or should one say ‘mopped and loaded’?) – trying to keep the Covid-19 virus at bay. The focus for FM firms moved from the traditional superficial cleaning approach to advanced disinfection and sanitisation that would eventually safeguard the health of building occupants. Several FM companies in the UAE upped their skillset by offering a new set of deep cleaning and disinfection services to their clients. This newfound responsibility is not only unprecedented but also enlightening!
Fast-forward 11 months and FM firms in this region are once again taking a new lead. This time in getting their employees vaccinated.
Most recently, EFS Facilities Services Group, a regional firm delivering integrated facilities management services across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, announced free access of the vaccine to more than 4,500 of its staff working in the UAE as well as their families. Transguard Group anticipates that at least 95% of its employees will be fully vaccinated by the end of March 2021. UAE-based Emrill and Imdaad are also following suit by launching their own inoculation drives.
Around 80% of the employees at the Abu Dhabi-headquartered Khidmah already received the Covid-19 vaccine. Abdellatif Sfaxi, CEO at Khidmah, said: “Our staff are leading by example and were quick to sign up for the Abu Dhabi government launched campaign ‘Choose to Vaccinate’ out of their belief that together we are protected. We are proud of our team for taking part in this national drive that will save lives.”
Getting vaccinated is the first step towards normalcy, and this appears to be the mantra for FM firms, particularly as they are, and have been, at the frontlines of this outbreak from the early onset.
Such initiatives by FM firms is a logical step in moving towards some semblance of normalcy as it helps their personnel in deploying newly acquired cleaning resources, without the fear of contracting the virus.
Likewise, you have UAE businesses encouraging the general public in availing discounts if vaccinated. For instance, Emirates Driving Institute in Dubai offers discounts to those who receive the vaccine. Also, certain Dubai restaurants are offering discounts to residents who are vaccinated. It makes absolute sense to have vaccinated patrons in a restaurant. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, “the risk of Covid-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as interactions within 6 feet of others increase”.
Researchers say around 70% of the population needs to get the coronavirus vaccine to stop the pandemic. Dubai aims to do just that by end-2021.
Once again, FM firms in the region are taking the lead!