COVID-19: UAE announces new protocols for weddings, funerals, social events

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHaP, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, NCEMA, have jointly announced a protocol for organizing social events in light of the outbreak of COVID-19.

The protocol, which aims to ensure the highest standards of prevention, and to implement preventive measures recommended by health authorities in the country, set a number of measures that need to be implemented when holding wedding receptions and other family events.

Accordingly, the attendance of the wedding event has been made restricted to first-degree relatives of the two families, provided that the total number of attendees should not exceed 10 persons.

The two government entities said it is preferable for attendees to get tested for COVID-19 24 hours before the date of the event, and to use single-use utensils and cups for eating and drinking and to constantly disinfect surfaces and facilities and provide disinfectants. However, it is forbidden to hold a buffet.

Both MoHaP and NCEMA called on the public to strictly adhere to preventive measures especially when attending social occasions, adding that the concerned authorities will keep a close eye on social events and whoever is found to be violating these measures will be fined.

The measures include applying social distancing rules, leaving a distance of no less than two meters between participants, monitoring any symptoms, avoid attending the ceremony in the event of developing respiratory symptoms or fever, preparing an isolation room in the event of a suspected case of infection, as well as, washing hands, maintaining respiratory hygiene in addition to urging people with chronic diseases and the elderly not to attend.

The ministry and the authority also set protocols for attending and participating funerals and prayers over dead bodies.

The protocols included a number of measures including wearing masks by workers in cemeteries, disinfecting the tools used before and after the completion of the burial ceremony, and constantly washing hands, and in case there is no water, it is possible to rely on approved disinfectants that contain at least 60 - 80% alcohol.

Additionally, the number of people attending the funeral should not exceed 10 and workers in the cemetery must disclose any respiratory symptoms, in addition to publishing awareness posters related to Covid-19 at the cemetery gate to educate relatives of the deceased about the preventive measures the need to be followed.

The measures also include reducing the number of people responsible for digging to two, and funeral bearers to between 4 to 8 people. . The two entities said that supervisors and security personnel from competent authorities will attend the ceremony to ensure that health requirements are not violated in cemeteries, prevent overcrowding and prevent exceeding the limit of attendees allowed.