William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
William plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Jake plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver plays in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver and Jake play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
Oliver and Jake play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
William and Oliver play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.
William and Oliver play in the park as children's play areas start to open around Dubai.

Family

Children's play areas in Dubai parks reopen: swings and slides no longer off limits

Park-goers must use sanitiser before going in and out of the park and play areas

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

June 24, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

While all of Dubai's major public parks reopened by the end of May, the children's play areas within them remained closed.

But, from Sunday, June 21, they have been operational again.

"In line with the need for citizens to return to their normal life, Dubai Municipality announces the reopening of children's play areas today in all parks in Dubai, following the highest public safety measures," the government authority tweeted this week.

The National visited Barsha Pond Park on Tuesday to see how the play areas were operating. The rules in the play areas are the same as the rest of the park. Park-goers must use sanitiser before going in and out of the park and children's play areas. There won't necessarily be dedicated disinfection stations everywhere, so make sure you take your own.

Dubai Municipality regularly disinfects all parks, including the play areas.

Overall, in line with the rest of the emirate's reopening, members of the public must adhere to the standard guidelines introduced for the Covid-19 pandemic when using the facilities.

This includes the wearing of face masks at all times, unless you are alone, undertaking any strenuous exercise or have an illness which makes it difficult to breathe.

While gloves are not required at beaches, they must be worn at parks and in indoor public areas.

Social-distancing guidelines, requiring people to keep a two-metre distance from others outside homes, must also be observed.

The city's parks reopened in three phases, between May 12 and 25. This includes the Quranic Park, Mushrif, Al Mamzar, Al Khor, Zabeel and Al Safa Park.

Signage explaining safety guidelines is placed outside Al Barsha Pond Park and its play areas. Katy Gillett / The National
Signage explaining safety guidelines is placed outside Al Barsha Pond Park and its play areas. Katy Gillett / The National

This new announcement follows the reopening of Dubai's waterparks from Thursday, June 18. These can now operate at 50 per cent capacity, with staff required to follow safety guidelines, including temperature checks, wearing masks and gloves.

Rules on age restrictions in public areas have also been relaxed, and children under 12 and those over 60 are now able to freely move around.

While you're here
While you're here
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  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
MATCH INFO

Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)

Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)

RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

RESULTS

Women:

55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2

Men:

62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

RESULT

West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' ) 
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72') 

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