Dubai reopens for tourists, but are people visiting?

A mask-clad tourist taking pictures of a falconer and his bird during a visit to Dubai’s historic al-Fahidi neighbourhood recently. — KARIM SAHIB/AFP

As much of the world tightens lockdowns to stem coronavirus, Dubai has flung its doors open, branding itself as a sunny, quarantine-free escape – despite a sharp rise in cases.

While mask-wearing and social distancing are strictly enforced, life in the tourism-reliant emirate looks much like normal, with its restaurants, hotels and mega malls open for business.