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Dubai’s waterparks set to reopen with strict safety measures

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Legoland Water Park Dubai entrance

Waterparks and water attractions in Dubai are set to open as safety rules were issued to operators by Dubai’s Health & Safety Department.

Dubai’s theme parks and waterparks closed in March over the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, under new rules laid out in a circular dated June 16, water parks can reopen. Featuring 38 rules, the circular states that these measures will be valid until further notice. Regular inspections will be conducted to ensure operators follow the safety rules.

Extensive cleaning measures

All water attractions must undergo deep cleaning and water quality tests should take place before they can reopen.

Common areas must be cleaned at least once an hour, and shared objects such as handrails, slides, lockers and counters must be disinfected each time they are used. Touchless hand sanitiser stations have to be installed in all common areas.

Showers, lockers and changing rooms may stay open as long as they are cleaned at least every hour and social distancing can occur. If this cannot happen, they must remain closed.

Ride operation amended

It is likely that water rides will take longer to operate as only one individual will be allowed per turn, unless visitors are in the same family group. Each ride cycle will also take longer as the rides must be wiped-down after every use and a thorough sanitisation will occur every hour.

Limiting contact between guests

Contact between guests must be as limited as possible. This means all guests have to bring their own towels, rather than them being provided as is normal. Some equipment will not be available for rental, such as goggles.

While cash can be accepted, attractions should encourage cashless payments to reduce contact between guests and staff members.

All guests and staff must have their temperature taken before they can enter the pool. Anyone with underlying health conditions should not enter the attraction.

Reduced capacity and social distancing

Capacity will be limited at each attraction to one person per four square metres. This means each waterpark will have different capacity limits.

Social distancing rules must be put into place. Visitors and pool user should stay two metres away from other people. Two-metre distance floor markings must also be in place.

All staff must wear a face mask or face shield and gloves. Visitors must also wear a face mask unless they are in the water.

All attractions must also have a dedicated isolation room and procedures to follow if there is a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case on property.

In other news, Soaky Mountain, a new $90m waterpark in Tennessee, is going to open on June 27.

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Alice Sarsfield-Hall

Alice is business development manager and looks after blooloop’s clients, new business and events. She studied English Literature and French at the University of Leeds. A Disney and Harry Potter geek, you can usually find her reading, baking or at a museum.

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