Dubai beaches open while northern emirates stay closed

Dubai's beaches remain open, while more than 35 beaches and coastal areas in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain stay closed with no reopening date. Gulf News reported on 30 October that none of the closures announced so far applies to Dubai, that its staff found Jumeirah Beach and Al Mamzar Beach open, and that hotels and resorts in the affected emirates are restricting beach access and sea swimming while keeping their pools, restaurants and other facilities open; no closure has been reported in Abu Dhabi, Ajman or Fujairah. Ras Al Khaimah's public beaches have been closed since 24 October until further notice, with any reopening to be announced depending on conditions; all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain remain closed while technical teams complete their assessments; and Sharjah's beaches have been closed since 28 October, after Al Hamriyah Beach on 23 October.

The National reported on 29 October that oil has reached about 30 kilometres of coastline from Umm Al Quwain to Al Marjan Island, with possible traces along up to 75 kilometres towards northern Ras Al Khaimah, that containment, cordoning, clean-up and remediation by local and federal teams continue with coastal surveys and assessments ongoing, and that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment says the fuel smell reported in several emirates poses no health risk; the ministry has not named the vessel, which the international maritime agencies cited by The National identify as the tanker Gem No 2, struck off the UAE coast in early October, with all 22 crew rescued. Fishermen and other sea users are asked to avoid the affected areas. Visitors with a beach day planned should use Dubai's beaches for now, check with their hotel before setting out in Sharjah or the northern emirates, and stay away from closed beaches and any oil washed ashore.