Abu Dhabi restaurants are to be allowed to operate at 80 per cent capacity, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The emirate's Department of Economic Development (DED) approved the move in line with efforts to support traders during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The directive covers restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, other licensed food outlets, catering services and hospitality services both in and outside of malls. Establishments must continue to adhere to safety measures in place to contain the spread of the virus. Food outlets suspended dine-in operations in March to help stem the spread of Covid-19. Venues were given the green-light to re-open in May, initially at a 30 per cent capacity. This figure has gradually risen as safety restrictions slowly eased. Last month, the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority increased capacity levels for restaurants across the country to 60 per cent. A circular issued by the DED reiterated a raft of precautionary measures would remain in place, including: