Signs urge social distancing at the Shiva Temple in Bur Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo/The National
The Hindu temple in Bur Dubai has restored opening hours to the levels of two years ago for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.
Sindhi Guru Darbar will be open from 6am until noon and from 5pm to 9pm.
The temple shut down in March 2020 when Covid-19 safety measures resulted in the closure of religious places of worship across the country.
Worshippers must follow safety precautions: masks are mandatory, a sanitisation tunnel will remain and large 'pujas' or gatherings inside the temple are not permitted.
Offerings of flowers, sweets and coconuts still cannot be offered directly to the Gods. These can be handed over to the priest and will be placed in front of the statues after the temple closes.
A two-metre social distancing rule will be followed inside the shrine.
More volunteers will be needed in the temple, particularly at weekends when the number of visitors rises.
