COVID-19 measures: UAE exempts expired residency visa holders from fines

Dubai: The UAE Cabinet on Sunday approved a decision exempting holders of residency visas from fines until the end of the year. Holders of expired emirates ID will also be exempted from fines upon renewal.

The decision was approved during today’s virtual meeting chaired His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The cabinet instructed the Ministry of Energy and Industry to coordinate with local factories to support the health sector with necessary supplies.

The remote cabinet meeting also approved a federal law on fundraising. The law aims to unify and coordinate efforts between federal and local authorities in relation to fundraising, granting permits.

The law also identifies fundraising conditions, and authorities responsible for granting permits, organizing and collecting fundraising means, as well as supervising, monitoring and organizing administrative sanctions and penalties for violating the law.

The Cabinet also endorsed a federal law on mental health, which was updated to keep pace with developments in the field of mental health. It also okayed the executive regulations of the Federal Law on the Private Health Facilities. The regulations aim to enhance the level services provided in the country in accordance with standards applied globally, and to strengthen the commitment of health facilities, regulate their work and raise the level of their services.

Also endorsed during the meeting were the executive regulations on the use of the information and communication technology (ICT) in health fields, which include controls and conditions for the use of ICT in health fields, to promote the level and quality of services provided.

“In the UAE, people support each other like one family to overcome these exceptional circumstances that the world is currently facing. We are blessed to have this spirit of solidarity and a safe country” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“Life is changing rapidly, but our contributions and giving will continue from our homes, from our institutions and from every spot on this earth. If we have to change the system of government work, we will do without hesitation” Sheikh Mohammed added.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the latest measures taken by the government departments to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, outlined the latest measures taken by the Ministry to ensure the safe return of Emirati citizens who are or were abroad.

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, also briefed the ministers on the latest updates with regard to the health situation in the UAE, affirming that the country is capable of facing the scourge of coronavirus and that ministry is harnessing all efforts to deal with the ongoing crisis.

Also during the meeting, Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Industry, shed light on efforts being done by the ministry, saying that the UAE has promising industrial sectors in addition to opportunities and possibilities to maintain its economic diversification.

He pointed out that there are more than 500 factories for food and beverages registered with the ministry from various emirates. These factories are doing their best to respond to the needs of markets and sales outlets. There are also about 70 national factories registered with the Ministry which have harnessed their capabilities to support the medical sector with medicines, medical supplies, solutions and medical gases such as oxygen and others.

There is also a future plan in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and other health departments to strengthen the role of national factories in supporting the health sector and filling any shortages for medicines and medical supplies, the minister further said.