Coronavirus: UAE records nearly 25,000 Covid-19 violations in 15 days

Abu Dhabi - Having more than three persons in a vehicle was a top violation during this period.

Authorities in the UAE detected 24,894 violations of Covid-19 safety measures during the first 15 days of September, a senior government official has revealed.
Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, the official spokesperson for the National Crisis Emergency and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), said failure to wear face masks topped the list of violations. Having more than three persons in a vehicle was the next top violation during this period.
"The highest violations were detected in Dubai, followed by Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah," he said during a Press briefing on Tuesday.
Asians committed about 81 per cent of the violations, followed by Arabs at 19 per cent. "We emphasise the fact that no one is above the law. It will be applied firmly to everyone," said Al Dhaheri.
62% of Covid positive cases males
Since September 23, the UAE has recorded 6,643 positive cases of Covid-19, said Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the UAE Government spokesperson. They were found after the country conducted nearly half a million tests. "About 62 per cent of these positive cases were males," he said.
Al Hammadi noted that 58 per cent of the Covid-19 positive cases recorded were between the ages of 25 and 44. The mortality rate has increased from 0.1 per cent to 0.3 per cent.
He revealed that contact tracing of those who were in contact with the infected persons was a very complex task. "Close contacts are advised to isolate for two weeks even with no symptoms or with a negative Covid-19 test result."
Sports activities resume
Al Dhaheri said the NCEMA and its partners have developed and issued a set of guidelines to combat Covid-19 as various sectors return to work.
"Today we announce the return of sporting activities in the country with specific procedures and controls to prevent the spread of the virus," he said. "Protocols and guidelines have been developed to ensure a safe return to sporting activities based on studies, data and best global practices all under the supervision of medical teams with focal points managed by sport federations."
ismail@khaleejtimes.com