Select public beaches and parks reopened in Abu Dhabi from Friday.
The beaches and parks across the emirate were closed in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On Thursday, officials said anyone wishing to visit a public park or beach would have to make a booking in advance through Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport SmartHub.
On Friday, the office confirmed visitors would not have to present a negative Covid-19 test result on Al Hosn, a government smartphone application.
Masks and gloves will be mandatory and people will have their temperatures checked before entering the beach or park. No showers will be available at public beaches.
Groups of no more than four are allowed to visit and facilities will be capped at 40 per cent capacity.
Food and beverage outlets will operate at 30 per cent seating capacity, with a maximum of four people per table and a minimum of 2.5m between tables. Play areas will be closed and parking will be restricted to 50 per cent capacity.
All visitors must maintain at least 2 metres distance from each other.
Areas will be marked out on the ground to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Individual loungers will be spaced in rows at a minimum of 2.5m intervals and couples’ loungers will be placed in pairs with a minimum of 1m between at a minimum of 2.5m intervals.
Those found not adhering to these rules will be fined.
Facilities will be frequently sanitised by municipality workers to ensure the safety of visitors.
The parks set to reopen on Friday include: Umm Al Emarat, Khalifa Park, Al Sulaimi Park in Al Ain and Madinat Zayed Public Park in Al Dhafra.
The beaches include: Corniche Beach, Al Hudayriat and Al Marfa in Al Dhafra.
On Thursday, the municipality said this was the first stage of reopening all public facilities in the emirate.
Park managers said they had been preparing for reopening by disinfecting their amenities.
“We have been working tirelessly in preparation for the reopening as the safety and health of our visitors and employees remains our top priority. We are co-ordinating with the relevant government entities to ensure that the highest standards of safety and precautionary measures are met,” said Rasha Kablawi, head of Umm Al Emarat Park’s corporate affairs and communications department.
“Parks have proven themselves to be vital to health and well-being, particularly in urban environments, and even more so in times like these. We look forward to seeing families and friends come together again to learn, explore, have fun and dine.”
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Birthday: February 22, 1956
Born: Madahha near Chittagong, Bangladesh
Arrived in UAE: 1978
Exercise: At least one hour a day on the Corniche, from 5.30-6am and 7pm to 8pm.
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi? “Everywhere. Wherever you go, you can relax.”