UAE: IA outlines precautionary measures against COVID-19

Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Apr 2020

The UAE Insurance Authority (IA) has issued a circular concerning the precautionary measures and preventative procedures for maintaining public safety and health and controlling the spread of COVID-19.

In a summary of the circular, issued on 8 March, international law firm HFW said the circular deals with two distinct areas: the IA is seeking to ensure that insurers remain operational and able to service the needs of their insureds during this period; and the IA is concerned to ensure that both employees and customers of insurers are not unnecessarily exposed to the virus and that the requisite precautions and preventative measures are taken.

To achieve both aims, the IA has requested insurers in the UAE to take a number of practical steps, including:

To put in place a policy relating to support for insureds affected by the virus, noting that the insurer will remain responsible for decisions taken in this regard, taking into account its financial position and solvency, along with its liabilities;
To activate an emergency recovery plan to ensure business continuity, requiring, at a minimum, insurers to:

– Prepare a list of employees required by the insurer to maintain business continuity;

– Ensure that the sufficient equipment is provided to enable employees to work remotely; and

– Ensure that the insurer has the requisite funds/budget approvals to maintain such business continuity.

To follow the conditions and instructions issued by the UAE authorities, including quarantine requirements relating to travel;
To permit employees to work from home/remotely, when displaying symptoms or as a precautionary measure, in addition to considering increased support in flexible working hours for working mothers;
To recommend cancellation of all events requiring gatherings in the workplace and instead encourage use of video conferencing or other communication technology;
To ensure that the required levels of cleanliness and sterilisation are applied in all of the insurer’s facilities; and
To publish a telephone number for emergencies and for any queries from employees. Insurers should refer to the full text of the circular for the complete list of requirements. M

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