Combating Covid-19: No renewal of Emirates ID until fine is paid

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Emirates ID, coronavirus, covid-19, renewal, sterilisation, sanitisation drive

Shajah - Fines have been issued to residents who were spotted outside their houses without a valid reason during the sanitisation drive.

by

Afkar Ali Ahmed

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Published: Fri 10 Apr 2020, 3:47 PM

Last updated: Tue 28 Jul 2020, 5:58 PM

Pedestrians who violate the #StayHome regulations will not be able to renew their Emirates IDs until they pay the fines, said a senior official with the Sharjah Police.

The police have deployed a total of 120 patrols in various parts of the city to enforce the regulation to combat the spread of coronavirus and issue fines to the offenders, including motorists and pedestrians. A number of pedestrians who were wandering in the neighbourhood and main streets without valid reasons during the sterilisation hours were fined by the patrols, the official added.

"The fines are registered on the Emirates Identity Card of the residents. The police patrols would stop the person and request his ID card. If the reason they give are found to be silly, the number of the Emirates ID will be recorded in the electronic system. They will not be able to renew the ID before paying the fines," he explained. The fines would be doubled if the person repeats the violation.

He added that the fine amount has been determined according to a UAE Cabinet resolution to limit the spread of the Covid-19.

Motorists violating curfew

The Sharjah Police stated that if a vehicle is found violating the regulations during the sterilisation period, fines would be issued to the vehicle owner by registering the vehicle plate number. It is issued only after ensuring that the necessary documents are not available to prove the reason for leaving home, such as work reasons or medical conditions.

Public commitments

The official confirmed the commitment of the members of the public to the directions that were issued to them. "The number of people who don't follow the regulations for the sterilisation programme is very few and the police are dealing with them firmly by enforcing the law," he added.

He emphasised that the awareness messages directed by the media had a role in creating a high sense of responsibility among the residents, helping the authorities curb the spread of the virus.

Following the violators remotely

He pointed out that the police are using several mechanisms that enable them to determine the reason of violation of the people.

If the destination of the person leaving his home at the time of the restrictions is his workplace, it is confirmed by requesting the work ID to prove the validity of his words. In such cases, the person will be exempted from fines. If anyone is leaving for the hospital because of an emergency medical condition, the police would be able to confirm his words by following his path through cameras in the operating room. The police had found a number of people who lied to the patrols and proceeded to different destinations other than the hospital or pharmacy.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com


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