Expo 2020 Dubai exercises caution amid virus concerns

DUBAI: Expo 2020 Dubai, the most anticipated mega scale event of the year, has hiked vigilance over the novel coronavirus outbreak, a committee spokesperson disclosed on Sunday, adding that the event organisers are optimistic de-escalation efforts worldwide will rein in the virus in time.

“The safety and well-being of everyone visiting Expo 2020 Dubai is of paramount importance to us, and we’re working closely with the UAE’S Ministry of Health and Prevention to apply the guidance that they have provided,” the spokesperson explained.

Dubai will open its doors to the world for six months starting October, expecting 11 million global visitors at its cultural and economic venue of Expo 2020. The first to be held in the MENA region, the historical event is expected to boost the emirate’s tourism and business sectors.

COVID-19 keeps the world on its toes with its vice grip, forcing authorities across the globe to suspend public events.

The UAE recently took precautions by calling off its road cycling race last week after two Italian staff members tested positive.

On Sunday the UAE Ministry of Education also announced nursery closures for a fortnight across the country via social media platforms, consolidating its earlier ban on internal and external student activities and school trips.

Earlier, Expo 2020 Dubai announced a worldclass music recording studio that will become a permanent facility as part of its legacy plans in the future city of District 2020 – and the first project to make use of the studio will be Expo 2020’s all-female orchestra, according to WAM.

The Firdaus Women’s Orchestra (Firdaus means “Paradise” in Arabic) will be creatively led by renowned Bollywood and Hollywood composer and songwriter AR Rahman, who will mentor the musicians and compose music for the orchestra’s inaugural performance, as well as putting his name to the new studio.

The Firdaus Studio by AR Rahman and the orchestra are both part of ambitious plans to push Dubai and the UAE as an international hub for music recording and score production, further expanding the city’s important role as a cultural centre where people of all nationalities come together to work and live together in harmony.