Coronavirus: more than 100 beachgoers in Dubai fined for defying safety rules

Officers fined people who did not wear face masks and failed to maintain a safe distance between each other

Sunseekers enjoy a day out at Umm suqeim public beach on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Temperatures rose in the past week but residents still flocked to the shores as four public beaches opened on Friday

Sunbathers were urged to spread themselves out and keep a distance

Bathers should wear masks even when on the beach, the authorities said

Public beaches opened a week after private hotel beaches were allowed bring guests back

Bathers were able to dip their feet into into the water for the first time in months

Police were seen patrolling along the beaches and said fines would be handed out to those found to be flouting rules

More public areas and activities have been allowed to open in recent weeks

Officials in Dubai have fined more than 100 beachgoers for failing to abide by the strict precautionary measures that are in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Beaches including JBR, Al Mamzar, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim re-opened on May 30.

People are not permitted to gather in groups of more than five, and must wear a mask at all times if they are not in the water, authorities said, after lifting many restrictions that lasted more than 10 weeks.

Those who did not wear face masks and failed to maintain a safe distance between each other were fined on the spot.

“People were not adhering to precautionary measures and during the first three days of re-opening beaches, around 100 fines were issued against offenders,” said Lt Col Ahmad Al Marzouqi, from the beaches security section at the ports police station.

“But when we started implementing fines, people began to adhere to rules,” he said.

The emirate’s police have intensified patrols to ensure everyone follows safety rules.

“The two metre distance between people and wearing masks are very important and we direct beachgoers to do both,” said Col Al Marzouqi.

The force uses drones to catch offenders while inspectors from Dubai Municipality keep a vigil on the beaches.