Dubai’s Global Village has announced its early closure for the season amidst the worldwide outbreak of coronavirus.
The news was revealed on Sunday that the popular tourist and entertainment spot would close effective immediately, which is nearly three weeks ahead of when the season was officially set to end on April 4.
The news was announced on the Global Village’s official Twitter account.
“Because excellent guest experience is at the centre of everything we do and in conjunction with the authorities we have decided to close our season early this year as a preventative measure,” the statement read.
“We look forward to welcoming you back to Global Village for our 25th season later this year.
كل الشكر و العرفان لضيوفنا و شركاءنا ولكل من ساهم في إنجاح قصة جميلة أخرى من مفاجآت القرية العالمية .. كان موسما رائعا مع الكثير من الذكريات التي تبقى في البال pic.twitter.com/2FkvF44AMI
— Global Village القرية العالمية (@GlobalVillageAE) March 15, 2020
It comes after the venue announced all concerts would be cancelled as a precaution due to the covid-19 outbreak.
Dubai closures amidst coronavirus
Meanwhile on Saturday, it was announced via the official Dubai Media Office Twitter account “all events in Dubai should be suspended from Sunday 15 March 2020 [until] the end of the month”.
It was stated this decision has been made in line “with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health”.
The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing has also directed all entertainment destinations, hospitality establishments and wedding halls to “suspend” operations from 15 March until the end of the month.
In line with ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing directs that all events in #Dubai should be suspended from Sunday 15 March 2020 till the end of the month. pic.twitter.com/iXyeR6owtV
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 14, 2020
Similar shutdowns have taken place in Abu Dhabi. All main tourist attractions in the UAE’s capital will be closed for the next two weeks.
Coronavirus labelled as a ‘pandemic’
On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) determined the coronavirus outbreak to be a worldwide “pandemic”.
“WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction,” the WHO director-general said.
“We have therefore made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterised as a pandemic.
“Pandemic is not a word to use lightly or carelessly. It is a word that, if misused, can cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, leading to unnecessary suffering and death.”
According to a report from WHO, as of March 13 globally there have been 132,700 confirmed as 132 758 confirmed cases, over 80,000 of which are in China, and nearly 5000 deaths, 3200 of which are in China.
On Thursday March 12, it was announced my the Ministry of Health and Prevention there were 11 new cases of coronavirus in the UAE, bringing the total to 85. However, so far, there have been 17 confirmed recoveries, making the current number of active cases 68.
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