COVID-19: Dubai camel races resume with robot jockeys

The Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack in full swing with the return of its famous camel racing – a centuries-old tradition.

Camel races resume at Dubai's Marmoum track after a five-month suspension. To ensure the events are safe, the UAE Camel Racing Federation has issued new guidelines for future races.

Handlers herd camels equipped with robot jockeys ahead of a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

At race tracks, camel handlers work in closer proximity as they jostle and guide camels to and from the starting line.

A handler wearing a protective mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic poses for a picture by a similarly-equipped camel ahead of a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

The first race series since the circuit was closed in April to limit the spread of Covid-19. The track becomes a gathering place for thousands of handlers and camel owners from around the Gulf during the season.

Handlers on camles herd recing camlels equipped with robot jockeys during a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Camels guided by robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.

A handler pushes camels together ahead of a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Handlers wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic set camels equipped with robot jockeys for a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.

Camels guided by robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Handlers herd racing camels equipped with robot jockeys during a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Camels guided by robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.

Handlers wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, drag their camels ahead of a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Camels guided by robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.

Handlers wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic set camels equipped with robot jockeys for a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Handlers wearing protective masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic set camels equipped with robot jockeys for a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

Camels guided by robot jockeys race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village.

Handlers herd racing camels equipped with robot jockeys during a race at Dubai's al-Marmoom heritage village, in the United Arab Emirates, on September 28, 2020. (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)