Reopening responsibly: Cinemas, hotel beaches, pools to open in Sharjah

Cinemas, hotel beaches and swimming pools are among the public spaces that will be reopened in Sharjah at 50 per cent capacity on June 24. Select museums, education institutes and training centres are some of the other entities that will reopen.

This stage of the reopening also includes fitness clubs for men and women, children's game rental facilities, water bike rental facilities and sports facilities, among others.

This came as the Sharjah Emergency and Crisis Management Team met remotely to discuss the emirate's preparations to return to normalcy and reopen vital government and economic sectors after the long lockdown necessitated by Covid-19.

Strict precautionary measures like mandatory use of face masks and social distancing will be ensured as Sharjah reopens responsibly.

Maj-Gen Saif Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, stressed that the safety and protection of people is the "highest priority" of the emirate.

> Education institutes

Dr Mohadeth Al Hashemi, Chairperson of Sharjah Authority for Special Education, discussed the authority's initiative to reopen 58 institutes and training centres for languages, education, vocational and technical training at 50 per cent capacity.

Al Hashemi said the decision on reopening nurseries and schools will be taken according to the directions issued by the federal government.

> Jubail bus station

Youssef Saleh Al Suwaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, announced the move to restart Jubail bus station at 50 per cent capacity. He said the station serves "vital external lines between Sharjah and the other emirates".

> Museums

Manal Al Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, presented a four-stage plan to reopen a number of museums. The first stage begins with four museums: Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Archeology Museum and Sharjah Aquarium at 50 per cent capacity.

> Environment centres

Select centres of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority will reopen at 50 per cent capacity over a two-week period. The centres are: Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, Wasit Wetland Centre, Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre, Buhais Geology Park as well as Desert Parks.

> Airport

The post-lockdown phase will see the reopening of the Sharjah International Airport as directed by the National Authority for Emergency and Crisis and Disaster Management and the General Authority of Civil Aviation. It also includes the resumption of duty free shops.

Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, outlined the precautionary measures that will be in place:

- Thermal cameras to check temperatures
- Travellers to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing rules at all times
- Sterilisation gates to be installed
- Continuous sterilisation operations throughout the day at all entrances and exits, luggage transport carts, escalators, surfaces, planes and the corridors leading to it.

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com