SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Expo 2020 Dubai sees 7 million visits, organizers impose heightened COVID-19 measures

Expo 2020 Dubai organizers have reported more than seven million visitors to the site since the global event’s inception, despite the fact that several events at the world fair have been stopped as a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the increased COVID-19 fears.

Since the inauguration of Expo — the most significant worldwide event staged since the start of the epidemic – on October 1, organizers have recorded 7,167,591 visitors to the site until December 20.

As a precaution against the current COVID-19 developments in the UAE, Expo organizers postponed various activities that required close or direct interaction, according to official news agency WAM on Monday.

Shows and performance arts by wandering artists are among the activities that have been halted. Furthermore, the Expo raised the number of PCR testing facilities and mandated a PCR test for all front-line personnel as well as entertainment staff at the site.

Expo organizers, on the other hand, have said on their website that they “continue to maintain comprehensive COVID-19 safeguards, assuring a safe and great experience for all attending.”

Expo 2020’s most recent COVID-19 efforts include increasing the number of on-site PCR testing labs to four and providing free testing to all country pavilion personnel.

“While all frontline employees and entertainers continue to be tested on a regular basis,” the statement stated, “certain close contact activities, such as parades and wandering entertainment, have been temporarily halted as a precautionary measure.”

Expo 2020 Dubai has mandated mandatory vaccination and boosters for all Expo and International Participant workers, volunteers, contractors, and service providers, despite the fact that more than 90% of the UAE population is properly vaccinated.

Visitors above the age of 18 must provide proof of immunization or a negative PCR test done within the last 72 hours. Furthermore, Expo 2020 has on-site sanitization stations as well as required face masks both indoors and outdoors.

High profile events boost Expo visits

Several high-profile events, according to organizers, have increased visitor numbers to the site, including an appearance by footballing great and Expo Ambassador Lionel Messi; a concert by Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan, the popular science show Brainiac Live, and plenty more live entertainment, boosted by enthusiastic uptake of the Expo 2020 Festive Pass.

Knowledge & Learning Week, the most recent engrossing Theme Week in Expo’s People and Planet program, featured a three-day global education summit, a number of World Majlis events, an interactive workshop-style event centered on experiential learning, and a Business Forum focused on harnessing and challenging today’s knowledge to better prepare for the future.

A gigantic Christmas tree at al-Wasl Plaza was lit up in a special ceremony on December 18, and all types of continuous yuletide events, activities, and shopping, as well as a complete menu of festive food and drink options, have all delighted visitors in the run-up to December 25.

Live concerts at Expo 2020 Dubai
Dina Stars and Apo & The Apostles (December 23, Jubilee Park), Egyptian entertainer Tamer Hosny (December 23, Jubilee Park), Grigoryan Chant and Naia Izumi (December 24, Dubai Millennium amphitheater), London Community Gospel Choir (December 24, 25 Jubilee Park and Dubai Millennium amphitheater respectively), Lea Salonga (December 25, Jubilee Park), and Kazakh National Bazar (December 26, Jubilee Park) (December 23, Dubai Millennium amphitheater).

The Christmas fun continues, with Expo’s International Participants displaying their countries’ festive customs as well as their own unique spins on seasonal cheer: from 3D-printed snowflakes at the Czech Republic Pavilion to the 400-year-old Lucia ceremony at the Sweden Pavilion on December 27.

Over the same period, Expo 2020’s virtual visits increased to 31.6 million, mostly due to the adoption of Live@Expo, which allows guests to take a personalized live virtual tour across the site. Expo 2020 Dubai continues through March 31, 2022, and invites the entire world to participate in a worldwide celebration that will help define a better, brighter future for all.

    Source:
  • alarabiya