New guidelines issued as Abu Dhabi's desert safari camps given green light to reopen

The attractions, which are popular with tourists, have been closed since the start of the pandemic

Desert safari camps in Abu Dhabi have been issued with new safety guidelines. The National 

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has issued new safety guidelines for desert safaris and tourist camps in the emirate.

Desert safaris and camps in the capital can resume operation, providing they adhere to a number of new health and safety measures put in place to help stem the spread of Covid-19.

All camps will be required to introduce thermal cameras or handheld infrared thermometers to monitor guests, while staff will be required to undergo regular temperature checks throughout the day, as well as have a PCR test every two weeks.

Staff will be required to regularly and thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and areas with high touch points, while all shared equipment, including horse and camel saddles and reigns, sand boards, falcon holders, and bike and buggy handles need to be sanitised between uses.

All camps have also been advised to display the new safety guidelines in multiple languages to remind all visitors to respect social distancing.

All camps in the capital’s deserts have been closed during the pandemic, however, they can now begin to reopen under the new guidelines.

Desert Rose Tourism, which operates one of the biggest tourist camps in Abu Dhabi, confirmed on Thursday that its camp is now open for visitors.

However, the desert camps are unlikely to see the return of tourists for a while, as visitors are not yet able to enter Abu Dhabi due to coronavirus precautions.

Those with valid residency visas can re-enter without the need to apply for permission from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), however they will need to quarantine for 14 days and wear a medically approved wristband.

Residents from other emirates may enter Abu Dhabi providing they have a negative PCR or DPI test result from the previous 48 hours.