‘Everyone is responsible’: COVID-19 rules you still need to adhere to in the UAE

Dubai - The UAE’s authorities have doubled down on residents who are failing to adhere to strict precautionary measures that have been introduced to win the country’s fight against COVID-19.

In a press conference on September 10, Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokesperson for the health sector in the UAE said that one of the main reason for the rise in the number of daily cases is the lack of commitment shown by some people to adhere to the safety guidelines and protocols.

So, if you were confused about which COVID-19 precautionary measures are still in place, here is a round-up of the top violations that can place community health in danger.

Always wear a mask

Reminding people of the importance to always wear a mask when outside, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, headed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said that inspections will be intensified, and anyone failing to comply with rules and preventive guidelines will be subject to fines.

Whether you are in a car, at the mall or in the office, you have to always have a mask on which covers your nose and mouth.

Fine

Dh3,000

Three people in a car

Cars can be a closed environment and it is crucial to maintain the highest hygiene practices when travelling.

The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) had announced earlier this year the following guidelines for travelling in a car:

“A maximum of three people are allowed to travel in a car at the same time, with the exception of members of the same family.”

It is also important to wear a mask, especially if the people in the car are not immediate family members. However, it is always better protection to wear a mask.

Fine

Dh3,000

Maintaining social distance in public places

UAE’s authorities have urged stores, outlets as well as their customers to strictly adhere to the precautionary measures, and support the government’s efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 and ensure business continuity.

Mandatory measures include frequently sterilising all facilities and common areas in malls, providing sanitisers across the mall and its entrances, and screening people’s temperature at entrances to identify suspected cases and take necessary measures.

All shopping malls are required to provide a dedicated room to isolate suspected cases in accordance with protocols.

If you see any non-compliance with the COVID-19 precautionary guidelines in Dubai, you can report it to the Dubai Economic Department by calling 600 545555, or on the consumerrights.ae website.

For across the UAE, you can reach out to the Weqaya hotline, which is a national call centre set up by NCEMA, on 800 WEQAYA (937292).

Fine

Dh3,000 for anyone not adhering to social distancing

Family and social gatherings

On September 8, Omar Al Hamadi, representative of UAE government, said in the weekly press briefing that a single person was recently responsible for spreading a COVID-19 infection to 45 family members and friends, one of whom died due to health complication and old age.

UAE’s authorities have urged people to avoid family and social events, and limit them to a maximum of five people, and even in those gatherings people have been asked to ensure social distance.https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/covid-19-can-i-attend-family-events-in-the-uae-1.1594018510800 This means no hugging, kissing or shaking hands and continuing to maintain a distance of at least two metres at all times.

Fine

Organisers of public or private gatherings to be fined Dh10,000 and participants Dh5,000 each

Quarantine

If you have been in contact with a positive case, quarantine protocols will be applied.

According to Dr Farida Al Hosani, a person who has been in contact with a COVID-19 patient should not rely on a negative test results as an excuse to return to normal life. The individual should observe a 14-day quarantine and then have a negative test result at the end of the period to be able to return to work or go outside.

Fine

Dh50,000 fine for whoever does not adhere to mandated home quarantine or quarantine at a facility as instructed by authorities.