Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced that schools affected by the traffic diversions caused by Dubai Tour, a four-day cycling event, have the option of closure.
The announcement was made in light of Maj Gen Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Assistant to Dubai Police Chief for Operations Affairs, calling on Dubai education authorities to close schools on Thursday to avoid congestion.
The Ministry of Education announced that Dubai schools under its jurisdiction (public schools in Dubai) will remain open during the first day of the cycling tour school; however it did not confirm if they will shut on Thursday.
The KHDA also said that all schools under its jurisdiction (private schools in Dubai) will remain open but those affected by the diversion can close but they must inform the KHDA beforehand.
School principals contacted by Gulf News also said they did not receive any directives from the authorities regarding closing their schools.
According to Maj Gen Al Zafein, several key roads in the city will be closed during the tour, causing traffic diversions and congestion. Roads like Shaikh Zayed Road, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, Al Khail Road and Jumeirah Road are among the roads that will be affected by the traffic diversions.
Dubai Tour is a high-profile four-day event, a sanctioned event of the world cycling body UCI. It will see some of the biggest names of the sport such as Mark Cavendish, Rui Costa and Fabian Cancellara cycle on the streets of Dubai.
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