Dubai Sports Council has announced clubs, academies, training and fitness centres, and other sports facilities as well as sports events in the Emirate of Dubai will not be required to use thermal scanners or conduct temperature checks from January 1, 2021.

The decision of Dubai Sports Council to update their COVID-19 precautionary measures and protocols for sports establishment and sports events comes following directives issued by relevant Dubai government authorities to abolish the use of thermal scanners and temperature checks at all business establishments in Dubai from January 1, 2021.

The authorities have also updated the valet parking protocols, cancelling the requirement for valets to cover the driver’s seats and steering wheel with plastic, which was being done to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

However, the other precautionary measures like wearing face masks still stand, and Dubai Sports Council has urged all sports and fitness establishments as well as event organisers in Dubai to comply with all the remaining precautionary measures and protocols, which have been drawn up in accordance with the guidelines issued by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management and other relevant authorities.

The sports establishments and event organisers, among other things, have been instructed to make sure they continue to maintain the hygiene and sanitization requirements as mandated by authorities, which includes maintaining a regular cleaning regime, and ensure the safe distancing rule is respected at all times.

The regulations also require facilities to display public announcements, and awareness signage in highly visible areas. They must also maintain adequate records of their members, including names, telephone numbers and visit dates, to assist if contact tracing becomes necessary.

BILLS FOR LIMITED FANS AT BUFFALO BILLS GAME: The Buffalo Bills will be allowed to have nearly 7,000 fans in the stands when they host their first playoff game in 24 years, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday.

They will be the first spectators at a professional sporting event in New York state since the coronavirus brought sports to a halt in mid-March. Bills Stadium in Orchard Park seats about 72,000.

To be admitted into the stadium, each of the 6.772 ticket holders must have a recent negative COVID-19 test conducted through the NFL’s testing partner, Bioreference Laboratories. The $63 cost of the test will be folded into the price of the ticket.

“Every fan must test negative before game, wear a mask & social distance. There will be post-game contact tracing,” Cuomo tweeted. “To Bills fans -- be smart.”

Fans will not be allowed to tailgate at Bills Stadium. Cuomo previously said that any fan who fails to comply with the mask rule will be ejected from the stadium. The Bills (12-3) will host a game either Jan. 9 or 10 in the AFC wild-card round of the playoffs. Their opponent will not be determined until the conclusion of play in Week 17 this weekend.