DOHA: The State Cabinet yesterday approved a draft law that would make the authorities declare which areas on the coast will be permitted for swimming and from what time to what time and which areas will be prohibited.
The draft law, once put in force, will ask the Beaches and Islands Department of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, in coordination with the competent agencies, to install signs and instructions that show the places where swimming would be allowed, and the places where it would prohibited.
The department would also be asked to raise public awareness about the dangers of swimming in prohibited areas.
The draft law also stipulates that all tourist facilities including clubs, resorts and private areas facing the sea, would be legally obligated to provide security requirements and safety guidelines as defined by the Department, QNA reports.
The draft law follows reports of several deaths that have occurred due to drowning of people who ventured into the sea for swimming. The deaths led people to call for safety measures at the beaches across the country. Qatar is a small country but has a long coastline.
The Peninsula
