Vox cinemas, Ski Dubai and Magic Planet among venues to reopen on Wednesday – what you need to know before visiting

There are a number of strict new safety measures in place for staff and guests

Vox is gradually reopening its cinemas across the UAE. Mona Al Marzooqi for The National

As cinemas and entertainment venues across Dubai prepare to reopen, more details have been revealed about the added safety measures that will be introduced.

Vox Cinemas, Ski Dubai, Dreamscape and Magic Planet are among the facilities that will reopen on Wednesday, May 27, in line with the recent ruling by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

Majid Al Futtaim, which operates a number of entertainment venues across the city, will employ the use of fogging machines at all of its venues to ensure the disinfection of large areas, while all surfaces within the venues will be sanitised after every guest interaction, with particular attention paid to countertops and payment terminals.

All cinemas will operate at a limited capacity, with new measures introduced to ensure a safe distance between guests is maintained at all times. Vox will deploy safety ambassadors to ensure social-distancing measures are followed.

The capacity of toilets and lifts will also be capped, and opening times for all cinemas and entertainment venues will be aligned with the adapted opening times of malls.

All guests are encouraged to pre-book tickets to limit the need for any queues, and contactless payment will be encouraged where possible. Both staff and guests will be required to wear masks as per the government’s guidelines, and temperature checks will be carried out upon arrival.

“With the continued support of the United Arab Emirates government, I am confident in our ability to navigate these unprecedented times together,” says Cameron Mitchell, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment. “Our staff have demonstrated resilience in addressing the challenges of this unique period, and I’m extremely proud of their remarkable efforts that will now allow our entertainment experiences to reopen safely.

"To address any concerns that people may have, we have designed an extensive range of new measures to ensure a healthy, safe and comfortable experience for all. We look forward to welcoming our valued guests back and creating great moments together again.”