New COVID-19 rules in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, RAK
These are the capacity limits at cinemas, malls and restaurants in these emirates
Dubai: Over the past few days, the UAE’s authorities have announced updated protocols and rules for commercial and social activities, to curb the spread of COVID-19. Depending on the emirate you are in, you need to be aware of the maximum number of people allowed at social gatherings, restaurants or cinemas.
Along with the capacity limits announced, authorities urged residents to always adhere to basic COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask at all times when outdoors and maintaining a social distance of at least two metres. Residents were also informed that authorities would monitor strict adherence to these protocols, to ensure community health and safety.
Here is a comprehensive look at all the announcements that have been made so far.
Dubai
These are the updated COVID-19 rules that have been announced in Dubai.
Travel protocols updated
Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced updates to travel protocols effective from January 31.
UAE citizens will be required to do a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test only on arrival in Dubai, regardless of the country they are coming from.
UAE residents, GCC citizens, and visitors travelling to Dubai will need to do a pre-travel PCR test, irrespective of the country they are coming from.
Arrivals from some countries – based on the COVID-19 situation – may be required to undergo an additional test on landing in Dubai.
How long is the pre-travel PCR test valid for?
The validity period of PCR tests has been reduced from 96 hours to 72 hours. So, depending on your itinerary, you will need to get a PCR test done within three days of your expected time of departure.
Departures - protocols for travellers departing from Dubai
A Rapid PCR or Rapid Antigen test will be available at the airport to travelers departing from Dubai if their destination country requires it.
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Not wearing a medical face mask, fabric mask, or veil when visiting an indoor public place, shopping mall and in public transport. Fine: Dh3,000.
Violations of restrictions of gatherings, meetings and private and public celebrations in public places, private farms or homes. Fine: Dh10,000 for those who invite or organise gatherings. Dh5,000 for each of the participants.
Eating out
Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced a decision to increase the distance between tables at restaurants and cafes from two metres to three metres.
Maximum number of people allowed
The number of people allowed to sit at one table has also been reduced from 10 to seven at restaurants and to four at cafés, including shisha cafés.
Weddings, social gatherings
The committee said that a maximum of 10 people would be allowed to gather for social events including weddings and private parties. Attendees must be limited to first-degree relatives. The mandate applies for gatherings at a hotel or at a home.
The rule goes into effect on January 27.
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- Dubai Police break up party in an apartment, issue Dh50,000 fine for violation of COVID-19 protocol
- Dubai Police bust second yacht party over flouting COVID-19 protocols
New rules for gyms
The Dubai Economy and Dubai Sports Council directed fitness centres and gyms to increase the physical distance between sports equipment and trainees from two metres to three metres.
All these decisions were announced by the Dubai Media Office on January 22.
Negative PCR test result mandatory if you visit a police station
On February 11, the Crisis and Disasters Management team in Dubai Police announced that anyone entering a Dubai Police building would be required to present a negative PCR test result, valid for 48 hours. Those who have taken both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were exempt from this requirement.
Elective therapeutic surgeries put on hold
On January 21, the Dubai Media Office announced that all Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licensed hospitals and day surgical centres would put elective surgeries on hold until February 19.
“This decision is aimed at ensuring that the most critical health issues are prioritised. This decision applies only to elective therapeutic surgeries that required deep sedation or general anesthesia. Elective surgeries that are medical emergencies will be permitted. The list of elective surgeries includes but is not limited to neurosurgical procedures, fractures and corrective orthopaedic procedures, cardiological and radiological interventions, stone and urological stent removals and other urgent procedures in general surgery, ophthalmology, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology and other specialties,” the statement said.
Entertainment permits put on hold
Entertainment activities by performers, live bands and DJs at restaurants and beach clubs have been put on hold after the authorities uncovered several violations by some establishments.
Sports fields in residential neighbourhood parks to close by 8pm
On February 10, Dubai Municipality announced sports fields in residential neighbourhood parks would close at 8pm every day, with the exception of the major parks and lake gardens sports fields, which will be closed according to the park's closing hours.
Abu Dhabi
From February 7, Abu Dhabi has capped the capacity of the following commercial, economic and tourism activities:
• Shopping malls – 40 per cent
• Gyms, private beaches and swimming pools – 50 per cent
• Restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, public beaches and parks – 60 per cent
• Taxis – 45 per cent
• Buses – 75 per cent
Movie theatres closed, parties and gatherings prohibited
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee also approved closing all movie theatres and prohibiting parties and gatherings.
Social events, weddings, funerals
The Committee also limited the number of people to …
• 10 for marriage ceremonies and family gatherings
• 20 for funerals and mourning services
Sharjah
The Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs in Sharjah also announced an updated set of precautionary measures for organising social events on February 7.
Maximum 20 people at weddings
For social events at home, such as weddings, it has been stipulated that such events must not involve the participation of more than 20 people.
All those attending such events must maintain a distance of four metres between each person present at the venue.
No physical contact
People were advised to avoid greeting each other by way of handshakes, hugs, kisses, greeting with the nose. Also, face masks need to be worn at all times. There should also be enough provisions for sanitisation.
Number of people at a table
The department stipulated that for seating arrangements, each table should accommodate only half its actual capacity.
So, if a table has the capacity to accommodate ten people, then no more than five people should be allowed, leaving a distance of two metres between each table.
Duration of ceremony
The duration of the ceremony must not exceed four hours. No live musical performance or any other live entertainment activity can be organised during the event.
Malls, cinemas and restaurants
On February 9, the Sharjah Economic Department (SED) announced new guidelines for commercial activities, which include:
• Cinemas and entertainment centres can only operate at maximum 50 per cent capacity, and leave a distance of two metres between visitors.
• Shopping centres and malls must operate at maximum 60 per cent capacity, with a two-metre distance between visitors.
• Restaurants and cafes should leave a distance of two metres between each table, and no more than four individuals are allowed to sit at each table except for members of the same family.
• Gyms and fitness centres must operate at 50 per cent capacity.
Schools switch to online learning
On February 11, Sharjah announced that all private and government schools will switch to online learning until the end of February.
PCR test compulsory for entering police buildings
Ajman
As of February 11, the Crisis, Disaster and Emergency Team in Ajman implemented the following preventive measures:
Stopping music concerts and other events.
A maximum of 10 people at wedding ceremonies and other family events.
Adherence to 20 people when performing funerals and praying over them.
50 per cent capacity for cinemas, fitness centres, gyms, parks and hotel beaches.
Earlier, Ajman’s Department of Economic Development announced revised health and safety protocols, applicable from February 8:
Cafes, restaurants
Cafes, snack shops, and restaurants have to close by 12am each day.
Customer capacity at these places has to be at 50 per cent only.
Ras Al Khaimah
On February 10, Ras Al Khaimah Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Team announced the following occupancy limits at public places:
• Public beaches and parks to have 70 per cent limit
• Shopping malls allowed to operate at 60 per cent capacity.
• Public transportation, cinemas, entertainment events and venues, fitness centres and gyms, as well as pools and private beaches at hotels were asked to limit their capacity to 50 per cent.
• The number of individuals allowed at family and social gatherings (such as weddings) will be limited to 10, while funerals are allowed to have up to 20 attendees.