COVID-19 rules in Ajman - cafes can stay open till 1am

Dubai: Residents in Ajman will need to adhere to new COVID-19 guidelines, after an announcement was made by Ajman’s Department of Economic Development (DED).

The department announced revised health and safety protocols on February 8, with the following changes:

Update: On March 15, Ajman Emergency Crisis and Disaster Committee Cafes, announced that snack shops, and restaurants can stay open till 1am each day. Since February 8, eateries had been closing by 12 midnight.

The Committee said social distancing protocols will remain in place - with no less than two metres separating tables and only four people per table.

Customer capacity at these places has to be at 50 per cent only.

The following announcements were made on February 8:

A maximum of 50 people can attend weddings and social events.

The venues at which these events are held should be at 50 per cent capacity at all times.

The department also announced that authorities would conduct inspection campaigns to ensure compliance with these requirements and take administrative and legal measures against violators.

The fines for COVID-19 related violations have been announced by the UAE Attorney General and are implemented across the UAE.

On February 7, Ajman Police had issued a warning to residents informing them that large gatherings and a failure to wear masks was behind an increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases. 

The authority also reminded the public that the penalty for not wearing masks is Dh3,000 and the penalty for violating the limit for maximum number of passengers in a vehicle is Dh1,000 on the vehicle and Dh5,000 on the owner of the company the vehicle belongs to.

Social gatherings such as weddings or gatherings in the desert that include more than 20 guests or attendees will attract a penalty of Dh10,000 on the organiser and a fine of Dh5,000 on each participant, according to Ajman Police.

For more information, residents can call the Ajman Government call centre on 800 70.

Other emirates, too, have announced a limit on the number of people allowed in social gatherings as well as in public places.

Read the details of the announcements made in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, here.

For details on the new guidelines to be followed in Dubai, read our guide here.