Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced the reopening of Sharjah’s leading family entertainment destination, Al Montazah Parks, for visitors. This falls under Shurooq’s plan to gradually reopen all its destinations in the emirate after the implementation of comprehensive sterilisation procedures strictly adhering to the health and safety protocols issued by the UAE government to curb the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

This largest integrated recreational destination in Sharjah is geared to provide visitors and residents of Sharjah and the UAE an unforgettable experience, including thrilling adventures on water slides and swimming pools for the entire family. The facilities meet international health and safety standards while offering children a fantastic time with their friends during the vibrant summer season.

Al Montazah Parks includes two state-of-the-art attractions, ‘Pearls Kingdom’, the water park inspired by the myth of Princess Pearl; and the amusement park ‘Island of Legends’, inspired by a story based on a time-travel journey through nine countries, based on a collection of legends and myths.

Precautionary measures undertaken by Shurooq at Al Montazah Parks include following physical distancing protocols, comprehensive sterilisation of the destination facilities and attractions, and reducing the number of visitors to the destination to 30 percent of its maximum capacity. Signs and stickers have been pasted on the floor next to each entertainment feature in the park to guide visitors to maintain a 2-metre distance from each other while waiting for their turns.

In addition to sterilisation booths, thermal cameras are in place to monitor the temperature of every visitor entering the destination. A medical team is also on hand to deal with emergency cases, along with a supervisory team charged with ensuring that all precautions are complied with, including the use of face masks and gloves and discouraging gatherings, to ensure the well-being and safety of visitors while protecting their privacy.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, chief operating officer of Shurooq, said: “The reopening of Al Montazah Parks offers families and children an opportunity to enjoy themselves in a safe and worry-free environment.We will continue to adhere strictly to all safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus, while ensuring our guests across age groups the thrill and adventure they are seeking after months of being home quarantined.”

He emphasised that the health and safety of all visitors, especially children, as well as its staff are paramount for Shurooq. He also reassured that as long as visitors adhered to the physical distancing rules and safety instructions provided by supervisors across Shurooq’s leisure and ecotourism destinations, they will be safe at all their favourite destinations in the emirate, like the Butterfly House at Al Noor Island, the green landscapes at Al Majaz Waterfront, the Kids Fun House in Al Qasba and Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism Project.

For his part, Khalid Ibrahim Al Qaseer, General Manager of Al Montazah Parks, said: “Al Montazah Parks are open from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. each day with ladies’ day every Tuesday, with all necessary precautions being put into action such as body temperatures of all employees taken twice a day, in addition to thermal screening for all visitors before entering the destination. Furthermore, medical units are available and on standby for handling any type of medical emergencies. The destination will facilitate smart payment methods and utilise the latest technology to sterilise banknotes.”

He added: “Sharjah’s most popular and favourite entertainment park is equipped with staff members who will be supervising all the preventive measures being put in place on a daily and hourly basis, such as ensuring that gloves, face masks and physical distancing are applied across all areas of the destination, as well as make sure that the meal bags in restaurants as well as select products in retail stores across Al Montazah Parks are sterilised and packed properly to ensure the safety of all visitors.

Inaugurated in June 2018, Pearls Kingdom’s offerings include 36 water slides and rides, a new slide tower featuring an array of amazing water slides as well as a new kids’ slide with a capacity to accommodate 110 children between the ages of 4 to 14 years. The amusement park ‘Island of Legends’ opened its doors five months later with 26 attractions.

Launched in 1979 and located close to The Flag Island on Khalid lagoon, across the Central Souq, Al Montazah Parks has over the course of four decades, constantly upgraded its facilities and attractions to match international safety standards. In December 2018, the landmark destination opened its doors to public after completing AED 100 million worth of renovations and adding new attractions to the amusement park, ‘Island of Legends,’ and the water park, ‘Pearls Kingdom’.

Since Eid Al-Fitr, Shurooq has reopened all its tourist and recreational destinations including Al Qasba, The Flag Island, Al Noor Island, Al Majaz Waterfront, the Heart of Sharjah, Maraya Art Centre,1971 Design Space, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism Project and the Khorfakkan Beach on the east coast of the emirate, in addition to the state-of-the-art City Sightseeing Sharjah tour buses.