Living In UAE

New COVID-19 rules in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah explained

Malls, restaurants to operate at reduced capacity, fewer people allowed at weddings

Published: February 07, 2021 19:38 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

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Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have announced new COVID-19 related rules and measures, reducing the number of people allowed at social gatherings as well as public places. Here is all you need to know. — The new measures were announced on February 7, 2021. Image Credit: Pexels

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Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi has capped the capacity of commercial, economic and tourism activities: • Shopping malls – 40 per cent • Gyms, private beaches and swimming pools – 50 per cent — Commercial spaces like hotels and shopping malls will operate at reduced capacity. Image Credit: Pexels

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• Restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, public beaches and parks – 60 per cent • Taxis – 45 per cent • Buses – 75 per cent — Taxis and buses, too, will take fewer passengers. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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Movie theatres closed, parties and gatherings prohibited The committee also approved closing all movie theatres and prohibiting parties and gatherings. — Parties have been prohibited. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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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 — A limited number of people have been permitted even in wedding ceremonies and at funerals. Image Credit: Pexels

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The committee recommended intensifying inspection and the monitoring of all sectors to ensure compliance with precautionary measures, and reporting violators to the Attorney-General. — Full list of COVID-19 fines in the UAE: gulfnews.com/1.1600078428656 Image Credit: Pexels

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Sharjah The Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs in Sharjah also announced an updated set of precautionary measures for organising social events. — Sharjah, too, announced regulations for social gatherings on February 7, 2021. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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Maximum 20 people, minimum distance of four metres 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. — Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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All those attending such events must maintain a distance of four metres between each person present at the venue. — Image Credit:

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No physical contact People were advised to avoid greeting each other by way of handshakes, hugs, kisses, greeting with the nose. — Image Credit: Stock image

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Also, face masks need to be worn at all times. There should also be enough provisions for sanitisation. — Image Credit:

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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. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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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. — Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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Dubai Earlier this month, Dubai had issued updated COVID-19 guidelines, with cinemas being asked to operate at 50 per cent capacity and mall capacity being capped at 70 per cent. — Read the detailed guidelines here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1612236387785 Image Credit: Pexels

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