COVID-19: UAE residents wear masks to stay safe against the coronavirus

It’s all about masks as restrictions ease in the UAE. Made mandatory, a mask is often the first barrier in a person’s protection against the novel coronavirus. Whether it is walking outdoors (as pictured) or within the confines of a mall, people are expected to use a mask.

A man covers his mask with a bandana in Dubai, in a two-pronged defence tactic. How does a mask help? The greatest aid it provides is stopping an asymptomatic carrier from unknowingly spreading the virus.

While wearing a mask is not the be-all-and-end-all in protection, it makes for a good first step. Others include good hand hygiene and maintaining social distancing. These measures do not mean staying away from your daily activities such as exercising or feeding pigeons - they just mean a little more caution.

A man cycles under his improvised face mask in Dubai. A variety of masks have become available in the market, from fashion-focused to DIY practice material.

A woman wraps a scarf around her face and walks with an umbrella in Dubai.

Cloth masks – like the one worn by the boy on the cycle - are easy to wear and oftentimes reusable. Just be sure to sanitise and wash after every wear.

A man walks with his cycle in Dubai. He's kitted out in a makeshift mask as well as a hat, to keep the harsh sunlight at bay.

A man riding a motorbike in Sharjah sports a black face mask.

A man uses a makeshift facemask made of a piece of cloth while walking down a street in Sharjah.

It's not all blue and white. Colour has started to seep into the world of masks. A man wears a brightly coloured mask in Dubai