Sports facilities and sheesha cafes to remain closed

SPORTS facilities and sheesha cafes across the country will remain closed until further notice, the GDN reports.

The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry said yesterday that events and activity halls, including movie theatres, will also be closed, while restaurants will continue to be restricted to take-away or delivery services.

It said these businesses are not allowed to conduct regular activities including home deliveries or home services.

Other non-essential businesses, which reopened on May 7, are being allowed to continue operations.

The government’s executive ministerial committee also decided last night that salons and hairdressers will reopen from next Wednesday, after the Eid Al Fitr holiday, under strict guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“Private facilities including sports halls and closed stadiums, and massage centres (men and women) will remain closed,” said the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry’s order.
“Events halls, indoor cinemas and sheesha cafes will also remain closed.
“All open businesses have to respect social distancing, overcrowding and continuous disinfection rules and procedures as instructed by the Health Ministry to combat Covid-19.
“All workers within open establishments have to wear protective masks.
“Violators will be punished according to the 2018 Public Health Law.”

The GDN previously reported that the country has twice implemented partial closures of businesses as part of national efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The first phase closure was from March 26 until April 9 and the second phase was from April 23 to May 7.

Meanwhile, the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) said all private medical establishments can continue to provide services, except the traditional cupping therapy (Hijama) at home.

In a circular issued yesterday the facilities were also directed that all appointments must be spaced with enough time to sterilise clinics and medical devices.

However, NHRA chief executive Dr Maryam Al Jalahma stressed the need to “utilise telemedicine as much as possible”.

The circular also detailed that patients and healthcare workers must wear protective masks and gloves, while all visitors must go through triaging area at the entrance of the facility where temperatures must be checked and hands are sanitised.

It also stressed that social distancing norms in the waiting area must be followed with one metre distance between patients, while sanitisers must be provided throughout the facility.