Coronavirus: Dubai Sports Council outlines measures for reopening of sports facilities

Sports establishments will be permitted to reopen on Wednesday, as part of the easing of restrictions

Academies, gyms, and sports and fitness clubs are allowed to reopen in Dubai from Wednesday but under strict guidelines. Ruel Pableo for The National

Dubai Sports Council have issued a list of guidelines for the return of sports activities.

Sports establishments will be permitted to reopen on Wednesday, as per the easing of restrictions on personal movement.

Following on from the regulations issued by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management on Monday evening, a number of measures need to be implemented at academies, gyms, and sports and fitness clubs.

Establishments can return at “50 per cent of the facility’s normal capacity”.

Masks must be worn “at all time and while engaged in light or moderate physical activity”, although may be lowered for “strenuous physical exercise”.

Children under 12, and anyone above 60 are not permitted to practice activities.

“Sports facilities and all tools, equipment, and means of transportation shall be sanitised through a certificate issued by a sterilisation company approved by the Dubai Municipality,” the Sports Council said.

“A permanent sanitisation programme shall be put in place, and sanitisers shall be provided in the necessary areas in the establishment.

“A physical distance of at least two meters must be maintained, and separators/partitions (e.g. acrylic dividers) shall be installed between sports equipment, if the nature of the sports activity requires it, to ensure protection of people.”

The establishments must maintain working hours outside of the national sterilisation programme times – so between 6am and 11pm.

They have also been instructed to “close off waiting areas, and ensure lockers rooms, changing rooms, and shower booths are closed off”.

“Trainers and instructors are not allowed to gather in any area,” the Sports Council said.

“Bathrooms/toilets must be sanitised after each use, or at least once every hour.

“All athletes/visitors/members must wear a face mask at all time and while engaged in light or moderate physical activity, but can be lowered/removed while engaged in strenuous physical exercise.

“Frequently used equipment that are used or touched by members must be cleaned. Floors and equipment must always be cleaned after each use.

Beach-goers lie on lounge chairs by the shoreline along the Jumeirah al-Naseem beach in Dubai as coronavirus lockdown measures are eased in the emirate. AFP

A woman bather walks along the beach shoreline near the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. AFP

The Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai as seen from the swimming pool of the Jumeirah al-Naseem hotel, as beaches open after coronavirus lockdown measures are eased in the emirate. AFP

Guests wearing masks and gloves descend a staircase at the Jumeirah al-Naseem hotel in Dubai. AFP

Shoppers in Mall of the Emirates where thermal scanners are placed to check the temperature of visiting customers. Antonie Robertson / The National

Shoppers in Mall of the Emirates purchase food and luxury items. Antonie Robertson / The National

Shoppers in Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A passenger of an Emirates airlines flight departing to the Australian city of Sydney, receives a box of masks and gloves at Dubai International Airport, after the resumption of scheduled operations by the Emirati carrier, amid the coronavirus pandemic crisis. AFP

Passengers of an Emirates airlines flight travelling to the Australian city of Sydney, check in at Dubai International Airport, after the resumption of scheduled operations by the Emirati carrier, amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

Preparations under way for opening of parks along the Dubai beach. Rules for using the beach in Jumeirah has been displayed prominently. Antonie Robertson / The National

Preparations are under way for opening of parks along the Dubai beach. Rules for using the open beach in Jumeirah. Antonie Robertson / The National

“Provide equipment to measure the temperature of customers, employees, trainers and participants before the start of every training session. Anyone with a temperature of over 37.5 degrees shall not be allowed in the facility.

“A person who has a cough, temperature, breathing difficulty, respiratory disease or immunodeficiency, shall not be allowed to participate in the sports activities.”