Children's play areas in Dubai parks reopen: swings and slides no longer off limits

Park-goers must use sanitiser before going in and out of the park and play areas

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  William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  Oliver and Jake play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

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  William and Oliver play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

While all of Dubai's major public parks reopened by the end of May, the children's play areas within them remained closed.

But, from Sunday, June 21, they have been operational again.

"In line with the need for citizens to return to their normal life, Dubai Municipality announces the reopening of children's play areas today in all parks in Dubai, following the highest public safety measures," the government authority tweeted this week.

The National visited Barsha Pond Park on Tuesday to see how the play areas were operating. The rules in the play areas are the same as the rest of the park. Park-goers must use sanitiser before going in and out of the park and children's play areas. There won't necessarily be dedicated disinfection stations everywhere, so make sure you take your own.

Dubai Municipality regularly disinfects all parks, including the play areas.

Overall, in line with the rest of the emirate's reopening, members of the public must adhere to the standard guidelines introduced for the Covid-19 pandemic when using the facilities.

This includes the wearing of face masks at all times, unless you are alone, undertaking any strenuous exercise or have an illness which makes it difficult to breathe.

While gloves are not required at beaches, they must be worn at parks and in indoor public areas.

Social-distancing guidelines, requiring people to keep a two-metre distance from others outside homes, must also be observed.

The city's parks reopened in three phases, between May 12 and 25. This includes the Quranic Park, Mushrif, Al Mamzar, Al Khor, Zabeel and Al Safa Park.

Signage explaining safety guidelines is placed outside Al Barsha Pond Park and its play areas. Katy Gillett / The National

This new announcement follows the reopening of Dubai's waterparks from Thursday, June 18. These can now operate at 50 per cent capacity, with staff required to follow safety guidelines, including temperature checks, wearing masks and gloves.

Rules on age restrictions in public areas have also been relaxed, and children under 12 and those over 60 are now able to freely move around.