Completion of National Disinfection Programme
On 24 June 2020, National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced the completion of the National Disinfection Programme with immediate effect.
Accordingly, all members of the society will be able to move freely during the day without restrictions.
Meanwhile, the UAE Government urged the public to continue to follow the healthy practices and the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Children below 12 years old will be allowed to enter commercial centres and restaurants across the emirates.
However, the following restrictions regarding COVID-19 are still standing:
- prohibition of public gatherings
- avoiding family visits
- maintaining physical distancing
- wearing masks and gloves when leaving home
- not exceeding the limit of three passengers per vehicle for non-family members.
Those who violate the precautionary measures will be subject to fines and penalties.
Note:
Entry to the emirate of Abu Dhabi remains in place, except for pre-exempted categories. Abu Dhabi Government has allowed public to move freely within the emirate. Exiting Abu Dhabi is also allowed and does not require a permit.
Government of Dubai has allowed free movement of public all day and night, subject to compliance to precautionary measures including wearing masks and physical distancing.
National Disinfection Programme which started on 26 March 2020, in collaboration with relevant federal and local authorities, has completed the sterilization of all utilities including means of public transport nationwide.
Update - National Disinfection Programme (as of 30 May 2020)
As of 30 May 2020, the timings of the National Disinfection Programme are set to be from 10pm to 6am. The change in the time was announced by Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Interior and National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority on 29 May 2020.
Food retail outlets, cooperative societies, groceries, supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed to operate 24 hours.
People must stay at home unless absolutely necessary to go out to get essential food supplies and medicine, or for work in vital sectors specified by authorities in previous statements.
Public gatherings or family visits must be avoided. The general public must maintain physical distancing and wear face masks and gloves when stepping out from their homes for work or necessities.
Note: The decision does not affect the emirate of Dubai, which announced earlier on 25 May 2020, that movement in Dubai is restricted from 11pm until 6am.
New timings for the National Disinfection Programme from 20 May and during Eid Al Fitr
On 18 May 2020, the UAE government represented by National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) issued a statement amending the timings of National Disinfection Programme.
Starting from Wednesday, 20 May 2020, corresponding to the 27th day of Ramadan in the Hijri calendar, and during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the timings of the National Disinfection Programme will be from 8pm to 6am until further notice.
As of 20 May 2020, the National Disinfection Programme in the industrial and workers' residential areas nationwide will be from 6 pm to 6 am.
In addition, it was announced that mosques and places of worship will continue to be closed and Eid Al Fitr prayers and all prayers will be performed at home.
New precautionary guidelines for shopping centres and malls, social visits and exercising were also announced.
Guidelines for shopping centres and malls
These are the rules establishments must follow:
- As of 20 May, shopping centres and malls will continue to operate partially from 9am to 7pm. The opening hours for malls will be announced after Eid Al Fitr.
- Cafes and restaurants will continue to operate with a maximum occupancy of 30 per cent
- Food outlets, cooperative societies, groceries and pharmacies will continue to be allowed to operate 24 hours
- Vegetable and fruit shops, roasteries, pastry and chocolate shops, and tea and coffee shops will be allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm.
All outlets that are authorised to operate should implement health and safety measures which include:
- maintaining 30 per cent of the store’s capacity to handle shoppers
- maintaining a distance of at least two metres between customers
- limiting the time for shopping for each customer to two hours
- ·not allowing elderly people, above the age of 60 and children below 12 inside the malls.
Guidelines for social visits and exercising
These are the rules people must follow during Eid Al Fitr holidays:
- Abstain from going out unless absolute necessary
- Avoid social gatherings and family visits
- Use virtual communication tools to communicate with family members, relatives and friends to exchange Eid greetings
- Avoid giving Eidiyah (gift in the form of money to children during Eid) and withdrawing money from banks and ATMs for this purpose and use electronic means instead
- Refrain from visiting pregnant women, children and those vulnerable to diseases, like the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.
In addition, those below 12 years or above 60 years or those who are pregnant or are afflicted with chronic health conditions may not leave their houses. Domestic helpers may not meet anyone outside the house.
People can exercise near their houses for a maximum of two hours. People should not exercise in groups of more than three people. They have to maintain a distance of two metres between them and wear masks and gloves.
Keep your hands sanitized. Wash them frequently for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your face.
Read more about the National Disinfection Programme during Eid Al Fitr.
Update - National Disinfection Programme during Ramadan
As from the first day of Ramadan 1441, corresponding to 24 April 2020, the new timings of the National Disinfection Programme is set to be from 10pm to 6am every day. The decision is effective across the UAE.
During Ramadan, food outlets, cooperative societies, groceries, supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed to operate around the clock. However, fish, meat, vegetable and fruit shops, mills, roasteries, slaughterhouses, nuts, pastry and chocolate shops, as well as tea and coffee shops, may operate only from 6am to 10pm.
Outlets permitted to operate must adhere to all health and safety guidelines issued by the relevant authorities. Guidelines include:
- limiting the entry/occupancy of customers to 30 percent of the establishment’s capacity of occupancy
- maintaining a distance of at least two metres between two customers
- avoiding any type of crowding.
The public needs to continue to comply with all precautionary and preventative measures such as,
Read about easing movement restrictions in Dubai.
National Disinfection Programme
In a further precautionary measure to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19, the UAE Government represented by Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and Ministry of Interior (MOI), in coordination with other relevant authorities, are undertaking a 'National Disinfection Programme'.
Under the programme, public facilities, public transport and streets will be disinfected every night from 26 March to 5 April from 8pm to 6 am.
During the sterilisation period, traffic and public movement are restricted, and public transport and metro services will be suspended.
Those who wish to step out of the house need to get a movement permit. Anyone, who is out during the sanitisation drive without a movement permit will attract penalties.
Those working in vital sectors such as: energy, telecommunications, health, security, military and police sectors, postal, pharmaceutical, water and food, airport and aviation and passport sectors are exempt from restriction of movement during the sanitisation drive.
Read more on National Disinfection Programme.
Updated on 16 Sep 2020
