UAE closes leisure sites, beaches, sports halls for two weeks

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority have announced the closure of all public and private beaches, parks, swimming pools, movie theatres, and sports halls and lounges.

The directive comes into effect today, March 22, for a period of two weeks, official news agency WAM reported.

For the designated period, restaurants, cafes, and F&B outlets are also instructed to serve customers, provided only 20 per cent of the seating capacity is used at any given time so that the mandated distance between people is maintained. A physical distance of two meters between customers, as well as other sanitation and public hygiene measures, must be ensured.

Outdoor and self-order kiosks are exempted. Home delivery services will continue as usual during the closure period.

The decision to regulate the operations of restaurants, and other F&B service providers will be re-assessed after two weeks.

The two authorities have urged all relevant federal, local, and private institutions to ensure compliance and to introduce necessary guidelines to bolster public awareness of the new measures.

The UAE registered 13 new infected cases of the Covid-19 virus on March 21, bringing the total of those infected in the country to 153.

A total of 38 patients have now overcome the infection across the country.

The UAE announced the first two deaths caused by the Covid-19 virus in the country early Saturday morning.

Read: UAE announces two coronavirus deaths