Skiing resumes in Dubai as restrictions are lifted

Dubai lifted coronavirus restrictions on leisure activities and citizens are expected to hit the emirate’s indoor ski slope – with the added protection of surgical mask and plastic gloves.

Dubai implemented a month-long 24-hour curfew in April and has gradually eased restrictions since then, including allowing malls and restaurants to open at limited capacities.

As of Wednesday, there are no restrictions on movement or business operations between 6.00 am and 11.00 pm, when a nightly curfew comes into force.

At the Mall of the Emirates, customers lined up at a movie theatre with "social distancing ambassadors" urging them to maintain social distancing rules. The cinemas are sanitised between each screening, and deep-cleaned every night.

A contactless system has been put in place that allows people to book tickets and buy snacks online.

Meanwhile, skiers dotted the slopes at Ski Dubai, the iconic indoor ski hill at Mall of the Emirates, as it opened to the public once again.

The chairlift at the indoor ski hill began to run again, taking snowboarders to the summit.

"Actually, it's hard staying at home after like being here almost every day throughout the year, and staying home for like two, three months that's really difficult. You know my bones are getting sore," says Ahmad Talal Ahmad from Dubai holding his snowboard.