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

On Saturday, the Abu Dhabi government tweeted that it had decided to close a few major tourist attractions including theme parks and cultural destinations within the capital emirate as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus within the country.

The closures would extend from March 15-31.

In line with precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of visitors, #AbuDhabi’s main tourist attractions, theme parks & cultural destination will be temporarily closed from 15 to 31 March to limit large gatherings and protect public health in response to COVID-19

— Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (@admediaoffice) March 14, 2020

The statement made via Twitter read: “Temporary closure includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Manarat Saadiyat, Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort, Qasr Al Muwaiji, Warner Brothers World, Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World and Clymb.”

Advisory notices will be updated regularly by visitor destinations across the Emirate – the public is advised to check with each site directly for the latest information

— Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (@admediaoffice) March 14, 2020

It added that advisory notices would be updated regularly by individual visitor destinations across the emirate and that the public was advised to check with each site directly for the latest information regarding closures.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque announces that the mosque will temporarily close for prayers and visits starting Sunday 15 of March to carry out a disinfection operation. This comes as part of preventative measures being taken by all entities and public institutions in the emirate pic.twitter.com/V7fwE4zjtF

— Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (@admediaoffice) March 14, 2020

A separate statement on the website of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre on Saturday read: “The Centre would like to announce that the mosque will be temporarily closed for prayers and visits, starting from Sunday 15 March 2020, in order to carry out the disinfection operation of the mosque and its facilities to ensure the well-being and safety of Emiratis, residents and visitors.”

Read: Coronavirus: GCC reports over 800 cases, 11% recoveries

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE confirmed that an Indian national tested positive for Covid-19 and was the latest confirmed case of the strain in the country, bringing the tally to 86.

The total number of recovered cases in the country now stands at 23.