Dubai set to reopen waterparks with strict rules, including bringing your own towels

Dubai - Guests will be discouraged from sharing accessories like goggles, nose clips, and snorkels.

Dubai waterparks are set to reopen, the emirate's tourism authority announced today via a circular issued to park operators.

In the circular dated June 16 issued to hotels and other establishments, Dubai Tourism said strict safety measures must be implemented when water parks and shower rooms reopen for visitors. 
Through a strict set of guidelines, Dubai Municipality has mandated operators of waterparks and water attractions in Dubai to ensure that all such facilities undergo deep cleaning and water quality tests before they are reopened.
Among the list of 38 rules is the guideline that visitors will not be allowed to borrow towels from the facilities, and must bring their own towels and accessories when they visit waterparks. Prior to Covid-19 restrictions, it was a general practice for waterparks and public swimming pools to offer towels to guests.
The set of guidelines also requires operators to discourage visitors from sharing items that are meant to come in contact with the face but are difficult to clean, sanitise, or disinfect, like goggles, nose clips, and snorkels. All such guidelines, put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19, will be enforced by pool staff and trainers who will also wear face shield or masks at all times.
Vistors will also be required to wear face shields and masks when they are not in the pools or play zones.
The Dubai Municipality circular also necessitates that guests found to have body temperatures of more than 37.5°C won't be allowed to enter the pool while those with underlying medical conditions, respiratory illness, or chronic diseases must not enter the water park/attraction.
All guests and visitors will be expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines and hygiene standards that they're supposed to follow outside of the parks, including maintaining 2m social distancing at all times inside and outside the play zone.
Up to five members of a single group can be seated together while maintaining 4m social distancing between two groups. More than 10 people in a group won't be allowed, with park/attraction operator authorised to take any action necessary to ensure compliance.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times to ensure social distancing in their designated attractions, the notice adds.
Among other leisure facilities that have recently reopened in Dubai are cinemas; major beaches; pools in hotels, health clubs and residential buildings; major parks and gyms. In all these places, rules and regulations have been in place to fight the spread of Covid-19. 
This week, since Sunday, government offices have resumed operations at 100 per cent capacity after months of working remotely.
See complete guidelines here.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai