LIVE BLOG: Latest from Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai is approaching the end of its first week and anticipation is building for what looks set to be a busy weekend ahead.
Organisers are looking forward to welcoming guests on the second weekend of the world's fair and have stressed the importance of complying with entry requirements.
Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai have been urged to carry a valid negative PCR result with them if they are not vaccinated against Covid-19 to avoid long delays when entering the site.
Expo spokeswoman Sconaid McGeachin said the on-site testing centre had been very busy during the opening week, with same-day results taking longer than usual.
She urged people to “come to the site prepared to avoid disappointment”.
“If you do not have a vaccination or your PCR result has lapsed, please go and get the test a day before you plan to visit,” she said.
“With so many visitors [during the opening week], it has taken quite some time to process the test results. Due to the sheer numbers, there are long delays.
“It’s not conducive to have people sitting here and waiting on the day. You can use the drive through service, get tested and come back the next day.”
Commenting on a successful first week, Ms McGeachin said the team is also working to “increase the number of buggies” on-site to ferry passengers to and from different areas.
She said it has been a challenge, but they are hoping to introduce a hop-on, hop-off service for visitors within the coming weeks. The buggies will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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Muay Thai fighter Dong Theeramate with Salma, 6, from Jordan outside the Thailand pavilion -
Musicians perform outside the Opportunity pavilion -
Performers outside the Iranian pavilion -
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks in a live feed from space to guests at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Young representatives of France and the UAE hear the address from space by French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, attends Expo 2020’s France Day. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
Official ceremony of France National Day at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Victor Besa / The National -
The performance Les Cosmopodes takes place at Sea Plaza. Expo 2020 -
Performers on Ghaf Avenue. Photo: Expo 2020 -
People perform during a parade for the Expo 2020 France Day. Photo: EPA -
Visitors explore the interior of the Moroccan pavilion. Photo: AFP -
The mascots Rashid and Latifa go on parade. Photo: AFP -
People parade with France’s national flag -
A air display by Patrouille de France for Expo 2020’s France Day -
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans -
The Aquafina Drop building was made with 41,000 recyclable cans -
Justin Homer plays a steel drum to represent Trinidad and Tobago -
A parade along Ghaf Avenue celebrates all things French -
A woman walks in front of the UK pavilion. Photo: AFP -
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP -
Young visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP -
Visitors explore the interior of the German pavilion. Photo: AFP -
The indoor slide at the Luxembourg Pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Shireen Shakeel rides the slide inside the Luxembourg pavilion. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors ride the Expo Explorer train. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors enter the Sustainability district. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The architecture at the world’s fair is simply breathtaking. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Saudi Arabia’s striking pavilion. Photo: AFP
“At peak times, the availability of buggies has been a challenge. We do have bikes operated by Careem available to visitors, but we are trying to prepare people for a lot of walking. The area is the size of 600 football pitches.
“Maybe plan your journey before time and decipher the areas you want to visit. We have visitor journeys on the website, like the architectural trail.”
During the first day, the world’s fair saw 53,000 visitors flood through the entrance gates and over the past week it has welcomed more than 170 different nationalities.
So far, late afternoon and evening hours had been recorded as the peak times for visitors, with the hot weather during the day and the beautiful illuminations at night the driving force behind that trend.
This weekend, the world’s fair will kick off the first of its monthly Expo Beats music festivals.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday ‘World Beats’, the first in the series, will be on the Jubilee Stage from 4pm until late over the three-day period.
The National has put together a list of things to look forward to when visiting Expo 2020 Dubai this weekend:
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What: Expo Beats — World Beats
When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Where: Jubilee Stage
Time: 4pm until late
Details: The mini music festival will feature a daily show by Jill Barber, the three-time Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter. Her critically acclaimed repertoire spans a transformative spectrum from folk, to jazz, to pop, and includes songs in both French and English
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What: Red Arrows Airshow
When: Friday
Where: Above Expo 2020 Dubai site
Time: 4pm to 4.25pm
Details: Look up in awe and watch the impressive Red Arrows take to the skies above the world’s fair in a colourful show of precision and skill
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What: Masterclass with AT Rajamani
When: Friday
Where: Sports, Fitness and Well-being hub in Mobility District
Time: 4pm to 4.45pm
Details: Achieving peak performance on the cricket field
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What: Meet and Greet: Rajasthan Royals
When: Friday
Where: Sports, Fitness and Well-being hub in Mobility District
Time: 6pm to 6.30pm
Details: Get up close and personal with some of your favourite players from the Indian Cricket League
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What: Harmony Under Water
When: Friday
Where: Al Wasl Plaza
Time: 8.30pm to 8.50pm
Details: Stand in awe as Al Wasl Plaza is submerged under water. As the deep blue light washes over you, the great mysteries of the ocean will surround you. Beautiful corals flow in harmony while glowing creatures swim along the ancient ocean floor, plus much more
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What: Ousha and the Moon
When: Friday
Where: Al Wasl Plaza
Time: 9.45pm to 10pm
Details: The girl who swallowed the moon. Tumble into the world of a 12-year-old girl’s dream. A place where the moon speaks and the threads of destiny are wove. A look into the fantastic mind of a child born without speech, whose words would one day capture the heart of a nation
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What: Coaching session Manchester City football team
When: Saturday
Where: Sports, Fitness and Well-being hub in Mobility District
Time: 12 noon
Details: Meet the top coaches from one of the UK’s most decorated football teams, Manchester City. During this interactive session they will give top tips on how to become a world-class footballer
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Spectacular fireworks and entertainment welcome the world to Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday night. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The opening ceremony under the magnificent Al Wasl dome. Photo: Karim Sahib / AFP -
The silver and white ghaf tree forms a centrepiece at the performance centre of Al Wasl Plaza during the opening ceremony. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Andrea Bocelli takes the stage at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Ellie Goulding performs at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Expo 2020 opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Chinese pianist Lang Lang opens the performance at Al Wasl Plaza for the Middle East's first Expo. Photo: Ali Haider / EPA -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
In the pink with a splash of colour as the event starts with a bang. Photo: Reuters -
The impressive opening ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai, which was streamed live to millions around the world. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP -
All flowered up at the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Reuters -
If the opening night is anything to go by, the entire event promises to be quite a spectacle. Reuters -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Lights, colour and fun are the order of the day. Photo: Reuters -
Andra Day takes centre stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, declares Expo 2020 Dubai open with a prayer. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
World-renowned Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi performs in his country's Expo opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of world's fairs, addresses the audience at the opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Hussain Al Jassmi, Mayssa Karaa and Almas perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Fireworks light up the skies around the Expo site in Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A logo of Expo 2020 Dubai is projected during the opening ceremony. AFP -
Flag-raising at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. -
Ahlam AlShamsi performs during the opening ceremony. Photo: Kamran Jebreili / AP -
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Reuters -
The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday. Photo: Reuters -
The full spectacle that was the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday night. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai -
Dubai opens its Expo 2020 with an extravagant opening ceremony of fireworks, flags and light shows. Photo: AFP -
Opening ceremony fireworks. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A young Emirati performs in the story of the ring that inspired the Expo 2020 Dubai logo. Photo: Christophe Viseux / Expo 2020 Dubai -
The world's fair was delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Performers line up to welcome visitors to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: AFP -
Emirati girls welcome guests before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traditions at play to help kick off the event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Guests arrive before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A buzz is spreading around the site before the opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The national flags of countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP -
Excited spectators arrive. AFP -
Members of staff pose for a picture before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An ideal photo opportunity. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Last-minute preparations, as meticulous as ever, for the big event. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Final preparations are under way in Al Wasl Plaza before the Expo 2020 Dubai opening ceremony on Thursday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Officials have anticipated and prepared for every eventuality that could crop up during the 182-day world's fair. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
