Sharjah will reopen its parks, private beaches, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools from 24th June, reawakening its tourism and economic sectors after a long lockdown.
The decision was made under the directive of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council. The economic and tourism sectors will be restored to normalcy while ensuring social distancing and limited attendance.
The key sectors that will reopen at 50% capacity are – beaches, cinemas, gyms for both men and women, swimming pools, online game centers, children’s game rental facilities, sports establishments, parking services and waterbike rental services.
Strict precautionary measures will continue to be followed and the Sharjah Emergency and Crisis Management Team led by Major General Saif Muhammad Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, held a remote meeting in the presence of heads of various Sharjah government institutions and entities to discuss the same.
Normal working hours will come into place at government offices and the percentage of employees at a time in the offices, which is currently 30%, will be increased over time.
Employees with chronic diseases, pregnant women, mothers of children below the ninth grade and elderly and those whose family members are likely to come in contact with the infected have been instructed to continue to work remotely.
Continuous sterilization of the area and free checks to the employees will be followed to reduce the risk of transmission among employees at these locations. The employees will also be required to wear face masks at all times.
Prior ticket booking will be implemented in necessary sectors to control the number of visitors.
The Sharjah International Airport will reopen following the regulations issued by the National Authority for Emergency and Crisis and Disaster Management and the General Authority of Civil Aviation including sterilization, thermal cameras and control on the number of passengers allowed inside at a time. Passengers will be expected to follow social distancing and wear masks right from entering the airport.
The employees of establishments registered under the Sharjah Food Safety Program will receive remote testing facilities and training.
The economic sector too will bolster its activities while ensuring that the safety measures are being implemented. Sultan bin Haddah Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development revealed, “during the past three months, 37,444 smart transactions were carried, which is a positive indication that the sector has not been affected, indicating the resumption of economic activities by 50%, with a gradual increase herald a positive change which may soon grow to 100%”.
Certain special education centers, training institutes, Jubail bus station, parks and museums will also reopen at 50% capacity. Further measures will be decided based on the success of this second stage of reopening.
