Dubai welcomes the new normal with health and safety as priority
The UAE has been extremely proactive in implementing a far-ranging series of preventative healthcare and hygiene protocols, including ramping up its hospital infrastructure and rapid testing capabilities as confirmed by its ranking as the world’s top country for its response to COVID-19 in terms of number of tests per million people. With an average of 213,636 people in a million, the daily testing average equals the four-month average in other countries.
Dubai has deployed technologically integrated advanced safety controls, to prevent, monitor, detect, and ring-fence any incidences within the tourism ecosystem, coupled with stringent operational guidelines across every touchpoint from airports, in-city transport and hotels, to restaurants, retail, and leisure and entertainment facilities.The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and its stakeholders are focused on ensuring guest’s safety while making for a well-rounded holiday experience. A detailed plan outlining the reopening guidelines for both government and private establishments has been established for each industry.Hotels, beaches both private and public, pools, restaurants and cafés, shopping malls, parks, gyms, watersport activities and boat rentals are now all open and ready to welcome residents and visitors. This is in addition to family entertainment facilities now also operating, which include cinemas, museums, observation decks and platforms, aquariums, Ski Dubai and the Green Planet, as well as desert experiences. Each sector following a stringent set of health and safety protocols, that not only reflect the best international standards, but are enhanced even further to manifest Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s safest destinations.
Addressing how Dubai is quickly and effectively abiding by the new normal, Khalid Saeed Bin Touq, Executive Director, Tourism Activities and Classification Sector, Dubai Tourism shares, “Dubai continues to take prudent steps under the guidance of its visionary leadership to instil confidence within our society and encourage people to return to their everyday life in a measured way. This gradual easing of restrictions relating to beaches and water sports activities at hotels is one of the more critical parts of our economic reopening plans, as it is a key component of Dubai’s leisure offering and will enable to kick-start the reactivation of the tourism sector among others across the city. As we continuously assess the current situation and look beyond the pandemic, we will be guided by the expert advice of our public health authorities during the various stages of reopening the tourism sector with the aim of protecting Dubai’s reputation as a global city and one of the world’s safest destinations.”Further highlighting the precautionary measures adopted by the emirate, Khalid Saeed Bin Touq, Executive Director, Tourism Activities and Classification Sector, Dubai Tourism, commented: "Dubai Tourism has introduced a range of health and safety guidelines for hotels, their guests and employees, as adherence to the highest health and safety standards will have a direct bearing on the success of our tourism industry, especially since this will be foremost on the mind of every person considering a vacation overseas. We are working closely with our hospitality partners for the effective implementation of these measures, as the safety of guests will be of paramount importance as we transition to the new normal.”
Meanwhile, avid travellers who don’t want to wait to experience Dubai need not despair, as they can enjoy the innovative city virtually and plan ahead for their upcoming vacation through a plethora of experiences including; 360-degree virtual tours of Dubai’s iconic landmarks, live culinary sessions, theatre and comedy events through to virtual reality rides on the adrenaline-packed roller coasters.