Swimming pool in Dubai closed for flouting Covid-19 rules

Dubai - One fitness centre was fined Dh5,000 for not ensuring safe distance, and a Dh3,000 fine was issued as an employee was not wearing the mask.

A swimming pool in Dubai has been shut while fines have been issued to two fitness centres for not complying with Covid-19 safety protocol, authorities announced on Sunday.

The pool will remain shut until it conforms to the requirements, they added.

The Dubai Sports Council and Dubai Economy teams have been visiting academies, and sports and fitness centres in the emirate to inspect the facilities and ensure they comply with all Covid-19 precautionary measures.

One of the fitness centres was fined Dh5,000 for not ensuring safe distance inside the facility, and a Dh3,000 fine was issued because an employee was not wearing the mandatory face mask.

The council has urged all clubs, academies, and sports and training centres in Dubai to comply with all the protocols and safety guidelines, and stressed that inspection visits by DSC and Dubai Economy teams will be intensified in the coming period to ensure full compliance with all Covid-19 precautionary measures.

The council has issued a detailed list of protocols, in accordance with the safety guidelines issued by Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and other relevant authorities, for the reopening of clubs, academies, sports and fitness centres in the Emirate following the months long closure due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The facilities, among other things, have been instructed to make sure they maintain the hygiene and sanitisation requirements as mandated by authorities, which includes maintaining a regular cleaning regime, and ensure safe distancing is maintained at all times.

The facilities have also been instructed to follow all the other safety protocols and guidelines - like the 2m social distancing, wearing masks, checking temperature of visitors, providing sanitisers, etc.

The regulations also require facilities to display public announcements, and awareness signage in highly visible areas. They must also maintain adequate records of their members, including names, telephone numbers and visit dates, to assist if contact tracing becomes necessary.

• Dubai