Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for reopening museums, cultural sites

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has issued a set of guidelines that will govern the reopening of museums and other cultural sites within the capital emirate.

These institutions will not be allowed to operate at more than 40 per cent of their capacity, the department said via a tweet on Monday, with the new measures aimed at protecting the health of staff as well as visitors.

.@dctabudhabi has issued regulations for opening museums and cultural sites, with preventative measures for the health & safety of visitors & employees that include not exceeding 40% of the facility’s capacity, wearing masks & gloves and regular sterilisation of each facility. pic.twitter.com/2WOArQPpMx

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) June 15, 2020

Some of the key measures outlined by the department are as follows:

– Visitors will be allowed a maximum of three hours within the facility.

– Activities including workshops, classes, programmes and tours at these facilities are to remain suspended.

– Employees must not return to work until they test negative for Covid-19.

– All touch screens are to be removed from the premises.

– Visitors are to be given digital guides, instead of printed material.

– Staff are to apply social distancing measures and avoid congregating in groups.

– Glass partitions are to be installed where necessary.

– Sterilisers and thermal detection devices are to be installed at all entrances.

– Daily and periodical temperature checks of all employees must be conducted.

– Regular sterilisation and cleaning of the facilities must be undertaken.

– A red sign is to be placed at the entrance clearly indicating that the visitor occupancy must not exceed 40 per cent of its capacity.

– Clear social distancing markings are to be placed throughout the facility.

– All staff and visitors must wear gloves and masks.

– An isolation room must be made available for suspected Covid-19 cases.

Abu Dhabi had initially shut some of its key attractions including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation back in March at the time that the Covid-19 precautionary measures were being rolled out across the country.

Read: Abu Dhabi closes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre, Ferrari World, other tourist sites

On May 24, as the emirate began relaxing some of those measures, it allowed hotels to reopen, but with strict precautionary measures in place.

Read also: Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for hotels to reopen

However, last week the emirate confirmed that it would extend its movement ban for another week starting June 9. During this period, entry and exit from the emirate is not permitted while travel between the different regions of the emirate is also suspended.

Read more: Abu Dhabi extends movement ban for another week from June 9