(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As Sharjah prepares for the reopening of cinemas, gyms, and other leisure facilities on June 24, the emirate''s economic development department on Monday announced specific safety rules that should be followed.

These public spaces, including valet parking services, will be operating at 50 per cent capacity, as part of the gradual plan to restart economic activity in the emirate.

The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) said establishments should adhere to all other precautionary measures announced previously - including mandatory temperature checks for all employees and visitors, making hand sanitisers available, and ensuring that a two-metre social distance is maintained at all times.

On Monday, the SEDD identified specific precautionary measures for cinemas, gaming hubs, gyms and valet parking.

CINEMAS

>Intensive sterilisation must be done on all cinema halls and other common areas every day
>There should be two empty seats between moviegoers in the theatre hall''s horizontal rows, and one empty seat between them in vertical rows
>Cinema halls must be sterilised after every show
>Visitors must be encouraged to buy tickets online
>All shows must end one hour before the national sterilisation period
>All restaurants and cafeterias at the cinema must follow precautionary measures announced previously
>Distribution of promotional brochures must be avoided
>Hand sanitisers must be readily available for customers

LEISURE FACILITIES

>These cover playgrounds, Internet cafe, gaming hubs, and shops that rent out Jet Skis, boats, yachts, quad bike
>Premises and equipment must be sterilised regularly and after every use
>Adequate distance must be maintained between gamers
>High-touch surfaces can be covered with plastic, but the cover should be changed regularly

GYMS AND FITNESS CENTRES

>All areas and equipment must be sterilised regularly
>Sports and fitness equipment must be placed two metres apart
>Spa, sauna, steam bath, and Jacuzzi must remain closed
> Newspapers, magazines and water coolers must be removed from the premises
>Visitors are allowed to take off their face masks only during strenuous physical activities
>Customers must bring their own towels and yoga mats
>Centres should accommodate only 50 per cent of their capacity

VALET PARKING

>Temperature checks are mandatory for all valet parking employees before they start their shift
>Staff must wear face masks and gloves during their shift and these should be changed after each car service
>Disposable covers must be used for steering wheels and car seats
>Before a car is handed over to a customer, the steering wheel, gear stick, car keys and any other surface touched by the employee must be wiped down with disinfectant cloth
>Windows must be opened and air-conditioning unit must be turned on for some time before the hand-over

MENAFN2206202000490000ID1100369494