DUBAI: The UAE government has lifted precautionary measures related to COVID-19 as the country further eases restrictions previously put in place to protect public health.
Mask-wearing in the UAE will now be optional in all open and closed facilities, including places of worship and mosques, with the exception of health facilities and centers for the determined people, where it will be mandatory, said Dr. Saif Al-Dhaheri, spokesman for Das, told the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) in an earlier briefing.
“Regarding mosques and musallas, we also announce that praying on personal mats will be optional as it will no longer be mandatory after the date of activation of the decision. Use of the Al Hosn App is limited to proof of vaccination certificates and test results in and out of the country upon request. Thus, no green pass is required to enter public facilities and sites,” the spokesman said in a report by state news agency WAM.
Organizers of sports activities also have the option to require PCR tests or vaccination certificates as a condition of participating in or attending their events.
“Last September we announced several measures to ease restrictions related to COVID-19. Today we are announcing the second phase of the easing of restrictions after examining the epidemiological situation in the country while monitoring occupancy rates in hospitals and intensive care units for COVID-19 cases,” said Dr. Al-Dhaheri.
Despite the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, health facilities for PCR testing and treatment would continue to operate and people with positive results will still have to undergo five-day isolation to prevent the spread of the disease.
dr Al-Dhaheri also clarified that health authorities would continue to monitor the “epidemiological situation in the country to be announced on an ongoing basis” and the latest announcements could be updated depending on the situation.
