Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to reopen from Sunday

Authorities said the attraction would be permitted to welcome back visitors, with Covid-19 safety measures in place

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is both a significant place of worship, and somewhere for visitors to learn about Islam. Getty Images

On day two of the UAE papal visit in February 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, took a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The message of tolerance is shared at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the UAE marks the Year of Tolerance. Wam describes the mosque as "a lighthouse of civilization calling for tolerance and moderation". Wam

People walk through Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night in January 2019. AFP

Two Etihad and Emirates planes, followed by the Al Fursan aerobatic team, perform a display show over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to celebrate the UAE's 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed, in 2018. AP

The sun rising over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's qubba, or domes, during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National

A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunrise during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's entrance in the morning. Reem Mohammed / The National

A view of the mosque in a white sandy haze. Victor Besa / The National

The full grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Reuters

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is often lit, or dimmed, for world events, such as Earth Hour, as pictured. Wam

A father and his son greet each other after performing morning prayers on the first day of Eid-Al Fitr at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in 2019. Leslie Pableo / The National

A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the morning. Victor Besa / The National

Inside the mosque. Victor Besa / The National

People visiting the mosque during Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

During Ramadan, people gather to break their fast outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Pawan Singh / The National

A glimpse inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. AFP

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is to welcome back visitors for the first time in nearly seven months on Sunday.

It will reopen in line with Covid-19 safety measures following a decision announced on Saturday by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, in tandem with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

The hugely popular attraction was one of many places of worship to close in March as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

More than 6.6 million people visited the striking mosque last year.

Eight of 10 visitors (4.1 million) were identified as tourists drawn to the capital from all parts of the world.

The largest number of tourists were from India (879,049), followed by China (704,680), with travellers from Russia (234,849), Germany (193,234) and France (155,223) completing the top five.

Authorities said Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Founder’s Memorial, in the UAE capital, would also reopen on Sunday.

Strict safety measures will be in place when the three sites open once more, including the compulsory wearing of face masks and observance of social distancing.

Visitor numbers will be capped and visiting times limited to avoid overcrowding, state news agency Wam reported.

“Precautionary measures also include the installation of thermal cameras to take body temperatures at all entrances; establishing an isolation room for those identified with high body temperatures, pending the arrival of healthcare teams; ensuring social distancing; and avoiding crowds from gathering,” the Wam statement said.

Public cultural tours will continue to be suspended, while the lending of electronic devices, clothing and other devices has been discontinued.

Social media platforms, including Instagram, will be used along with LED screens to display videos explaining the regulations.

Management teams of all cultural landmarks will carry out regular disinfection of sites and entry points.

Online booking is necessary and can be carried out on each attraction’s website.

The website of each attraction now offers online booking.

Remote cultural tours in Arabic and English will be live-streamed on Instagram.