It is now well established that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will have enduring consequences for all aspects of daily life. For many businesses worldwide, survival will ultimately depend on their ability to resume some level of operations as quickly as possible. For the UAE this is no different, with the government’s recent relaxation of some COVID19 precautionary restrictions welcomed by business owners, particularly in the Emirate of Dubai. But as businesses adapt to the "new normal" which begins to emerge, the welfare of their workforce and the wider population must be kept at the forefront of decision making. Employers must therefore take a pragmatic approach to resuming their business operations whilst keeping abreast of the evolving UAE regulations aimed at minimising any further spread of COVID-19.