A major clean-up drive was launched in Dubai as thousands prepare to ring in 2021 at a spectacular New Year's Eve show.
The streets of Downtown Dubai were disinfected and sanitised to help ensure the festivities are held safely.
A stunning firework, laser and light show at Burj Khalifa will be the highlight of the eagerly-awaited event.
Officials joined forces to make sure Dubai can celebrate safely and in line with Covid-19 precautionary measures.
Lt Gen Abdullah Al Marri, commander-in-chief at Dubai Police, said patrols would be on duty across the emirate to ensure the safety of all revellers and to enforce Covid-19 measures.
Police said they would use artificial intelligence to monitor the body temperatures of people attending the celebrations.
Maj Gen Rashid Al Matroushi, director general of Dubai Civil Defence, said more than 585 civil defence officers would be on duty on New Year's Eve. "They represent an elite of specialised units," he said.
Maj Gen Al Matroushi said 21 civil defence stations would be set up near celebration sites with 71 fire and rescue vehicles on hand.
Developer Emaar, which is managing the celebrations, said access to Downtown Dubai will be limited to five gates erected around the area. All guests must show a QR code to access the viewing areas in Downtown Dubai.
There are five different colours of QR codes for different categories of people in Downtown Dubai on the night. For hotel guests and restaurant visitors, the QR codes are gold and blue, respectively.
For hotel restaurants, the QR colour is light blue while Dubai Opera can be accessed with a dark red QR code. For the public area – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard – the QR code is black.
People can register through the U By Emaar App.
The family viewing areas on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will provide spectacular views of Burj Khalifa. The boulevard will be divided into zones to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Guests are asked to adhere to the advice of the Emaar NYE 2021 safety stewards on duty, who will assist visitors in making the event as safe and enjoyable as possible. The zones will open at 3pm on New Year’s Eve.
Those who book to watch the free show will be assigned a particular zone and gate from where to enter.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
