• People head to the Kite Beach in Dubai after Covid-19 safety were lifted in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People head to the Kite Beach in Dubai after Covid-19 safety were lifted in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People brave the summer heat to go to Kite Beach in Dubai. The beaches had been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus but have since reopened. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People brave the summer heat to go to Kite Beach in Dubai. The beaches had been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus but have since reopened. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Busy Dubai beaches after the beach restrictions were lifted in Dubai. Residents and visitors visit the beach near Kite Beach in Dubai even though the temperatures are in the high 30’s with high humidity. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Busy Dubai beaches after the beach restrictions were lifted in Dubai. Residents and visitors visit the beach near Kite Beach in Dubai even though the temperatures are in the high 30’s with high humidity. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • People head to the Kite Beach in Dubai after Covid-19 safety were lifted in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People head to the Kite Beach in Dubai after Covid-19 safety were lifted in the emirate. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dubai health authorities say beach-goers must remain two metres apart but face masks are not required while swimming. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dubai health authorities say beach-goers must remain two metres apart but face masks are not required while swimming. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Kite Beach reopens in Dubai after months of closure to stop the spread of coronavirus. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Kite Beach reopens in Dubai after months of closure to stop the spread of coronavirus. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People brave the summer heat to go to Kite Beach in Dubai. The beaches had been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus but have since reopened. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People brave the summer heat to go to Kite Beach in Dubai. The beaches had been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus but have since reopened. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dubai residents take to Kite Beach after restrictions lifted. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Dubai residents take to Kite Beach after restrictions lifted. Antonie Robertson / The National

Coronavirus: Dubai beachgoers warned over complacency as Covid-19 threat remains


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Public health officials issued guidance on how to stay safe at the beach as more people head to the coast to cool off amid scorching temperatures.

Swimmers have been reminded to keep their distance from others, despite restrictions easing on compulsory facemarks when outside.

Dr Badria Al Harmi, director of the Dubai Health Authority Public Health Protection Department, called for vigilance as the coronavirus pandemic remained a threat.

“When it comes to the beach, while we do not need to wear a mask in the water, it is important to maintain social distance of ideally two metres even when you are in the water,” she said.

“Make sure you do not share personal items with others, carry your own beach mat, towel, sunscreen and water.

“At the beach, find a spot where you are maintaining a social distance from others, keep your mask on, do not fidget with the mask and wear it properly.

“Always keep a few spare masks in a sealed bag."

She said hands should be sanitised before putting on a new mask.

Security patrols deployed at the beaches of Dubai will issue warnings to anyone found flouting strict rules in place to control further infections.

Drones are also used to check residents are complying with health and safety measures in place in beaches and parks.

Police issued hundreds of fines in June to those ignoring rules, while 200 beachgoers were fined in just one day when beaches reopened at the end of May.

Those without facemarks on the beach or not social distancing were hit with penalties up to Dh3,000.

Authorities stressed the need to stay at home if any symptoms of coronavirus appear.

“Anyone with symptoms should also stay home let alone go to the beach,” said Dr Al Harmi.

“This means that even if you have mild symptoms such as a sore throat, a mild fever or mild upper-respiratory symptoms or any flu-like symptoms, you should not step out of the house.

“By now, we should be on track with basic prevention measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distance at all times and carrying hand-sanitisers with us whenever we step out of our house.”

Globally, coronavirus cases were above 8 million on Wednesday, with 3.9 million recoveries and more than 443,000 deaths.

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

The Kites

Romain Gary

Penguin Modern Classics

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

On sale: now

Price: from Dh195,000 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Student Of The Year 2

Director: Punit Malhotra

Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal 

1.5 stars

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A