Sharjah lifts ban on desert tours

Our Correspondent

Desert safaris in Sharjah are set to resume after authorities lifted ban in a bid to boost tourism. Tight restrictions had been imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus after the pandemic was identified.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) announced on January 6 that tours and related activities can resume observing Covid-19 safety measures. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the authority, said tour operators would be closely monitored to safeguard public health.

A team of SCTDA inspectors is supervising the inspection of establishments and activities through regular field visits to ensure the issued precautionary measures are being followed.

The SCTDA has given a guide for Sharjah tour operators, which lists the safety measures they should follow. Some of the rules are:

• Instructions about safety measures must be provided in every vehicle.
• Food and beverages are not allowed inside the tour vehicle
• Thorough disinfection of vehicles and public areas should be done.
• The number of passengers must not exceed the capacity of the vehicle used.
• A distance of at least two metres between people must be maintained during activities.
• Signboards must be placed around the vehicle reminding passengers to avoid gathering in one area and urging them to adhere to health and safety measures.
• Tour operators should provide a reservation system that enables health authorities to collect information to help trace contacts if necessary.
• Adopt electronic payment methods.
• Reception desks at tour firms must have plastic or glass partitions with minimal openings to accept payments and facilitate the use of credit cards.

Regular sterilisation of premises must be carried out.