A driver pays for his parking ticket in Abu Dhabi. Parking fees will return to normal from July 1. Victor Besa / The National
A driver pays for his parking ticket in Abu Dhabi. Parking fees will return to normal from July 1. Victor Besa / The National
A driver pays for his parking ticket in Abu Dhabi. Parking fees will return to normal from July 1. Victor Besa / The National
A driver pays for his parking ticket in Abu Dhabi. Parking fees will return to normal from July 1. Victor Besa / The National

Coronavirus: parking fees to return to normal in Abu Dhabi as restrictions are eased


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Parking fees will return to normal in Abu Dhabi from next month after they were suspended for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The charges will come into effect on Wednesday, July 1, from 8am.

The announcement was made by the Integrated Transport Centre, a company that manages public transport in the capital.

People were advised to pay for their parking electronically to avoid spreading the virus.

Parking has been free in the capital since the Department of Municipalities and Transport announced the suspension of fees in late March.

The Mawaqif parking timings are from 8am to 12am from Saturday to Thursday.

Premium parking (blue and white colours) is  Dh3 per hour with a maximum stay of four hours.

Standard parking (blue and black colours) is Dh2 per hour or Dh15 for a day.

Parking is free on Fridays, official holidays and for disabled people.

Parking spaces near mosques are exempt from fees for 45 minutes from the call to prayer.

Abu Dhabi is inching back to normal life after the emirate shut all its malls and attractions in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

It has since reopened some attractions with extra precautions to protect the public.

Malls, restaurants and cafes reopened up to 40 per cent capacity, but people over the age of 70 and children under 12 are not permitted to enter.

The age limit was changed last week after previously placing restrictions on people aged 60 and over, as well as children under 12.

  • Tables are spread out at the Cafe Milano at the Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Tables are spread out at the Cafe Milano at the Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Maximum occupancy sign at the reception of Cafe Milano. Victor Besa / The National
    Maximum occupancy sign at the reception of Cafe Milano. Victor Besa / The National
  • American father-son duo Raj and Sebastian Dagstani last year opened a pizza restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    American father-son duo Raj and Sebastian Dagstani last year opened a pizza restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
    Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
  • Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
    Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
  • Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi is now open after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
    Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi is now open after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National
  • Wearing of masks has been made compulsory to beat the coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National
    Wearing of masks has been made compulsory to beat the coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National
  • A woman wearing protective face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus arrives at a bus stop in Abu Dhabi. UAE government has eased the coronavirus restriction for residents and businesses around the country. Pawan Singh / The National
    A woman wearing protective face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus arrives at a bus stop in Abu Dhabi. UAE government has eased the coronavirus restriction for residents and businesses around the country. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A ban on driving in and out of Abu Dhabi emirate came into force on Tuesday, June 2 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
    A ban on driving in and out of Abu Dhabi emirate came into force on Tuesday, June 2 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Emirati security officers at a checkpoint at the entrance of Abu Dhabi, on the motorway linking Dubai to the capital, on June 2, 2020, after authorities cordoned off the city to fight the coronavirus. AFP
    Emirati security officers at a checkpoint at the entrance of Abu Dhabi, on the motorway linking Dubai to the capital, on June 2, 2020, after authorities cordoned off the city to fight the coronavirus. AFP

The capital’s museums and cultural venues have been given permission to reopen at 40 per cent capacity from June 24, with safety measures in place.

The UAE's capital currently has some of the strictest measures in place across the country with a movement ban limiting travel between Abu Dhabi's main regions as well as entering and leaving the emirate.

Emiratis and residents can now leave Abu Dhabi but cannot return unless they are issued a permit by police.

Movement between the emirate's regions (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra) also requires a permit.

The order is in force until June 23, but could be extended.

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Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 1

Mata 11'

Chelsea 1

Alonso 43'

The biog

Favourite car: Ferrari

Likes the colour: Black

Best movie: Avatar

Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy

Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

The details

Colette

Director: Wash Westmoreland

Starring: Keira Knightley, Dominic West

Our take: 3/5

Race results:

1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min

2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec

3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Top financial tips for graduates

Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.

2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.

3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.

4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.