Abu Dhabi: Beachgoers in the capital, including tourists, must carry personal identification documents with them at all times, the Abu Dhabi Police announced in a statement sent on Saturday.
They are also required by law to produce these documents when requested by police officials, said Colonel Dr Rashid Bu Rasheed, director of criminal investigation at Abu Dhabi Police.
“Visiting tourist attractions or beaches does not excuse residents and tourists from the need to carry personal identification papers with them,” Dr Bu Rasheed added.
The capital boasts a number of public and private beaches, and the number of visitors frequenting them increases greatly during the summer months.
Mazeed Al Otaibi, head of the tourism section at Abu Dhabi Police, said that personal identification documents enable officials to ensure a high level of security and safety across beaches.
Al Otaibi also urged beachgoers to respect local customs and traditions, and avoid immoral behaviour in public spaces. The tourism police distributes guidebooks to promote awareness of these local laws among tourists, he added.
Among the public facilities in the capital are the popular Corniche Beach and Al Bateen Beach, which saw 1.3 million visitors between them during the first three months of this year. Both are certified for their high standards of hygiene and safety under the international Blue Flag Programme for beaches, conferred by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Another popular destination is Saadiyat Public Beach on Saadiyat Island, while the municipality opened a new ladies-only public beach section in Al Bateen last week.
At the same time, there are a host of private beaches, including those on Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, as well as various seashore areas managed by hotels and resorts.
