Dubai Tourism issues guidelines for hospitality and travel sectors, to safeguard travellers

Dubai Tourism has come out with detailed guidelines for the tourism and hospitality sectors to safeguard travellers. It has said large outdoor tourism activities involving more than five people, sports events, parties, hotel amenities like swimming pools, spas, sauna, gyms and prayer rooms will not be permitted.

All outdoor activities involving less than five persons are allowed. Water sports activities, boat and bike rentals, jet skis and sky diving are permitted, in a controlled environment.

Public beaches are still closed, except for tourism activities as mentioned. Food and beverages are allowed, but restaurants, cafes and foot stands need to follow necessary guidelines.

Contactless payments will be encouraged, but cash payments will be accepted. Public announcement boards and signages should be kept in highly visible areas including entrances and public areas, in hotels. Thermal scanners/cameras/thermometers should be available for health checks to monitor infected people.

Guests will have to carry their own belongings like towels, linen etc. All utensils on board must be disposable and hand sanitisers should be made available in all areas. All guests including children should wear masks.

A clear two metres distance should be maintained between people and a four metres distance should be kept between groups of people in beaches and sun beds.

All equipment to be thoroughly sterilised, especially protection gear. Customers should be encouraged to use or purchase their own goggles. Professional divers and customers should undergo temperature checks.

All staff members in hotels should wear masks and gloves and practice social distancing guidelines. Mandatory isolation zones should be provisioned to host suspected cases until they are transferred to health authorities for further checks.