Swimming Pool Shutdown by Dubai Sports Council

The Dubai Sports Council has closed down a swimming pool at a sports centre in the city after it discovered it was in violation of COVID-19 safety protocols.

The facility has been shut down until it conforms to requirements and DSC has again urged sports and fitness centres to adhere to all precautionary measures and safety guidelines issued by relevant authorities.

Two fines have also been handed out by inspection teams at fitness centres for non-compliance with safety protocol. In one instance a fine of AED 5,000 was dealt out for not ensuring safe distance inside the facility while the second fine of AED 3,000 was due to an employee not wearing the mandatory face mask.

Teams from the DSC and Dubai Economy have been visiting academies and sports and fitness centres in the Emirate to inspect the facilities and ensure they comply with all the precautionary measures imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The DSC stressed that inspection visits will be intensified in the coming period to ensure full compliance with all COVID-19 precautionary measures.

The Council has issued a detailed list of protocols, in accordance with the safety guidelines issued by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and other relevant authorities for the reopening of clubs, academies, sports and fitness centres in the Emirate.

Among many other requirements the facilities were instructed to maintain the hygiene and sanitisation requirements as mandated by authorities, which includes maintaining a regular cleaning regime, and ensure safe distancing at all times.

The facilities have also been instructed to follow all the other safety protocols and guidelines including the two metre physical distancing, wearing masks, checking temperature of visitors and providing sanitiser.

Regulations also require facilities to display public announcements and awareness signage in highly visible areas. They must also maintain adequate records of their members, including names, telephone numbers and visit dates, to assist if contact tracing becomes necessary.