ABU DHABI 15 March 2020: Abu Dhabi’s main tourist attractions, theme parks and cultural destination will be closed from Sunday 15 March until the end of the month as a precautionary measure to limit large gatherings of people and protect public health in response to Covid-19.
Temporary closure includes Qasr Al Watan Tour, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Advisory notices will be updated regularly by visitor destinations across the Emirate – the public is advised to check with each site directly for the latest information, said Wam.
Temporary closure of main cultural sites
In line with precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of visitors, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has decided to temporarily close cultural sites in the emirate, starting from Sunday 15 March until 31 March.
Closed cultural sites include; Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Qasr Al Hosn, Culture Foundation, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji.
“The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff is of paramount importance to us. We will update you once the cultural sites resume normal operations,” the Department said in a statement.
Other cultural centers, including; Bait Al Oud, Berklee Abu Dhabi, and Al Qatara Art Center will continue working as usual, offering art classes with restrictions on health and safety measures.
Entertainment destinations temporarily closed
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has directed entertainment destinations in the emirate to suspend operations as part of the precautionary measures taken nationwide to curb the proliferation of the coronavirus, Covid-19, outbreak.
This came in two separate circulars, addressed to the owners of entertainment halls and videogame centres and lounges, and the second to movie theatres in the UAE capital where the Added has asserted that the move is meant to ensure protection of society and its safety in collaboration with other competent authorities in the nation.
“The decision is reflective of the Added’s determination to safeguard all Emiratis and residents living in the Emirate in line with public safety and protocol measures,” said Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Added.
Rashid Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Added Undersecretary, said the decision to temporarily close these destinations is aimed to help people steer clear of crowded places.
“Those who will not abide by the decision will be punishable under Article 72 of Added’s Table of Fines which specifies a pecuniary penalty in the range of Dh3,000-Dh0,00 and ultimately closing the facility in case of a repeat infraction,” Al Balooshi explained.
Inspection campaigns will be carried out to ensure compliance, he added, highlighting in this respect the recent decisions taken by the Department to ban Shisha across all cafes and restaurants across the emirate in order to curb the outbreak of the novel virus and ensure people’s safety and security.
The decision is applicable with immediate effect upon the time of issuance until further notice.
Dubai suspends all events
In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai has directed that all events in Dubai should be suspended from Sunday 15 March till the end of the month, according to Dubai Media Office.
DTCM also directs all entertainment destinations to suspend operations and all hospitality establishments and wedding halls to suspend wedding gatherings from Sunday 15 March till the end of the month. Inspections will be carried out to verify compliance with this circular, it said.
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Entertainment destinations closed in Ajman
AJMAN: The Ajman Department of Economic Development and Ajman Tourism Development Department have directed entertainment destinations in the emirate to temporarily suspend operations effective Sunday, March 15th, until the end of the month, as part of the precautionary measures taken nationwide to curb the proliferation of the coronavirus, Covid-19, outbreak.
In a joint circular issued today, the two departments said inspection campaigns will be carried out across movie theatres and videogame centres and lounges in the emirate to ensure compliance.
