Coronavirus: Qasr Al Watan reopens to public on Tuesday

The Palace in Motion sound and light show will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings

Powered by automated translation

Qasr Al Watan will reopen for public tours on Tuesday with strict measures in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi closed in March, when attractions across the country were shut to protect the public during the early months of the pandemic.

Anyone who wishes to visit Qasr Al Watan will have to make an online booking, tweeted Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Visitors can take tours of the site on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am until 6pm.

From Thursday to Saturday, tours will be organised from 12pm to 7.30pm. There will be no site-seeing on Mondays.

The Palace in Motion sound and light show will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

But the Symphony of the Nation marching band will not perform and the Qasr Al Watan Library will remain closed until further notice.

Masks are mandatory and people will have their temperatures checked before entering the site.

Places will be limited to ensure visitors maintain physical distancing. Floor markings will be placed at regular intervals to help guests keep a safe distance of two metres from each other.

Tickets cost Dh60 for adults and Dh30 for children aged 4 to 17.

The site opened to the public in March 2019.

The library is home to a vast collection of books and resources on the UAE's political, social and cultural history.

In the west wing, guests could learn about the formation of the UAE and its government and enter halls typically reserved for official meetings.

In the House of Knowledge in the east wing, visitors could explore a vast collection of artefacts and rare manuscripts that highlight the Arab world’s contributions to fields such as science, arts, humanities and literature.

The Presidential Palace is home to the formal offices of the UAE's President, Vice President and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The venue has hosted several global leaders since 2015, including Pope Francis and Chinese President Xi Jinping.