Disposable covers and sanitising wipes: Valet parking back on the cards at Dubai hotels

Guests checking in to hotels in Dubai can valet park their cars with enhanced safety measures in place

Valet parking is back on the cards at Dubai hotels. Courtesy Valtrans

Hotels in Dubai can once again offer valet parking to guests checking in for a stay.

The latest regulations from Dubai Tourism allow hotels to offer valet parking, as long as they adhere to strict guidelines. Resorts and hotels across the emirate had suspended valet services in May after instructions from the tourism authority.

The valet parking rules are designed to protect guests and staff from the transmission of the coronavirus.

Anantara Dubai the Palm has restarted valet services for guests checking in to the hotel. Visitors at Atlantis, The Palm who are staying at the hotel can opt to use the  valet service for a fee, or self-parking is available free of charge.

Dubai Tourism's regulations stipulate that all valet staff must have their temperature screened on a daily basis when reporting to work. Staff must also wear masks and gloves at all times while on duty. Gloves must be changed and staff must sanitise their hands every time they valet a car.

Disposable covers will be used on car seats and steering wheels to help prevent the transmission of germs from valet staff to the car, or vice versa.

Every valet station at any hotel must have sanitising wipes that should be used to wipe down the steering wheel, gear stick, key fob and any other surfaces touched by valet staff, before the car is given back to its owner.

Air-conditioning units in cars should be turned on well ahead of guests receiving their car and windows and doors must be opened to allow any stale air in the car to escape. Fogging sanitisation can also be used for ventilation purposes.

Hotels across Dubai that have not yet implemented these regulations cannot offer guests valet parking.