Coronavirus scare: Dubai’s Oasis Mall denies it is closed
Social media posts showing paramedics in Hazmat suits led to rumours it was closed
Dubai: The Oasis Mall shopping centre in Dubai on Wednesday denied that it has closed following rumours that it was forced to down shutters over a coronavirus scare.
The rumours were prompted by social media posts on Tuesday, which claimed that there was an emergency reponse at the mall.
The post carried pictures showing paramedics in Hazmat suits taking a stretcher inside the mall.
The pictures showed an ambulance waiting at the entrance of the mall, while three paramedics were walking into the mall with the stretcher.
Authorities have repeatedly warned the public against spreading rumours and circulating pictures on social media and to rely only on official channels of communication to get their information.
Spreading rumour is a crime
Rumour-mongering is a criminal offence in the UAE. Under Federal Legal Decree No 5 for 2012 on combating cybercrimes, spreading rumours “damaging social peace and public order” and causing damage to “national peace” empowers the UAE government to prosecute concerned individuals. Article 29 of the Federal Legal Decree No 5 for 2012 states that those found guilty face imprisonment and a civil fine of up to Dh1 million.
