Worshipers cautiously return to Bur Dubai’s Gurudarbar Sindhi Temple
Worshipers cautiously return to Gurudarbar Sindhi Temple in Bur Dubai as UAE eases Covid restrictions
Commenting on recent attendance, Gopal Kookani, the temple’s general manager, said, “Slowly as the days go by, everything is returning to normal. »
The temple’s extended opening hours have helped it return to pre-pandemic levels. Under Community Development Authority rules, the temple is now allowed to remain open from 6 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, an increase from the six hours previously allowed.
Despite Dubai’s recent relaxations on social distancing rules, the temple continues to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters between worshipers to avoid overcrowding.
“If we go half a yard shorter, complacency sets in,” Kookani said. “So it’s better to stick to the 1.5 meter rule.”
To further encourage Covid safety, thermal cameras and several hand sanitizer stations have been placed at the entrance and exit. The temple is also disinfected twice a day.
“Over the past six to eight months, people are more concerned about this. So that’s a good sign,” Kookani said, saying the community as a whole is strictly adhering to safety standards.
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The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday lifted several capacity and social distancing restrictions. The new decision came as coronavirus cases linked to Omicron in the country have declined since January 22.
Under the new rules, social distancing in mosques, churches and other places of worship can be reduced to one meter. The authority said the situation would be closely monitored throughout February and appropriate precautionary measures would be taken accordingly to help with the decision to maintain or eliminate the safe distance between worshippers.
