Covid-19: Dubai closes theme parks, cinemas, gyms, spas and cancels all events

All the theme parks in Dubai will be closed for the rest of March to help contain the spread of Covid-19, officials have announced.

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has also said that all events will have to be cancelled until March 31.

“In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing directs that all events in Dubai should be suspended from Sunday March 15, 2020 till the end of the month,” Dubai Media Office said.

In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing directs that all events in #Dubai should be suspended from Sunday 15 March 2020 till the end of the month. pic.twitter.com/iXyeR6owtV

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 14, 2020

DTCM also directed all entertainment destinations to suspend operations and all hospitality establishments and wedding halls to suspend wedding gatherings from March 15 until the end of the month. All museums, historical sites and public libraries have also been closed.

Inspections will be carried out to verify compliance with this circular.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, which operates Motiongate, Bollywood Parks, and the Legoland theme parks, confirmed the closure of all its venues.

They will remain closed until the end of March “or at such time the situation will be re-evaluated.”

. @dxbparksresorts: Following the direction of the DTCM and as part of our commitment to the health and safety of our guests and employees we have temporarily suspended operations at our theme parks; until the end of March 2020, or at such time the situation will be re-evaluated. pic.twitter.com/A1O33gh1Vu

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 14, 2020

The UAE is taking several measures to counter the spread of the coronavirus, with 86 cases reported in the country so far. The total number of recovered cases in the country now stands at 23.

Read: Coronavirus: GCC reports over 800 cases, 11% recoveries

In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, @Dubai_DED directs all cinemas, theme parks, amusement games & electronic game centres, bodybuilding & fitness gyms & spring camps licensed in #Dubai to halt all their activities & services until end of March 2020. pic.twitter.com/nAcZ0feS08

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 15, 2020

Gyms, cinemas and spring camps across Dubai have also been closed.

A circular issued by the Department of Economic Development read: “In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, the Department of Economic Development directs all cinemas, theme parks, amusement games and electronic game centres, bodybuilding and fitness gyms and spring camps licenced in Dubai to halt all their activities ad services for the public with immediate effect till the end of March 2020 starting from today Sunday 15th March 2020. These establishments will be subjected to inspections to verify their compliance with this circular.”

The emirate has also ordered all spas and massage parlours to close until the end of this month.

In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, @Dubai_DED directs all establishments licensed to operate massage parlours and spas to suspend these activities with immediate effect from today (15 March, 2020) till the end of March. pic.twitter.com/RG0VQDHtEy

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 15, 2020

On Saturday, the Abu Dhabi government also announced that major tourist attractions including theme parks and cultural destinations would be closed as a precautionary measure from March 15-31.

The closures extend to Louve Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Manarat Saadiyat, Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji, Warner Brothers World, Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World and Clymb.

Read: Abu Dhabi closes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre, Ferrari World, other tourist sites