UAE coronavirus: All 7 Emirates announce new, stricter Covid safety rules

Dubai - Full list of latest rules: Some parties and gatherings banned; public venues shut; reduced capacity at malls and offices; and compulsory PCR testing.

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Published: Sun 7 Feb 2021, 10:59 AM

Last updated: Tue 23 Nov 2021, 2:23 PM

Authorities in the UAE are leaving nothing to chance when it comes to Covid-19 safety.

UPDATE: Compulsory PCR Covid testing rules have been updated. Read about the latest rules here.


Despite opening up almost all sectors gradually over the past year, authorities continued their safety inspection checks to ensure that all precautionary measures are followed.

However, daily inspection reports have shown an increase in the number of establishments breaking Covid safety rules. This has prompted authorities across the country to tighten rules and introduce new measures.


Six emirates have tightened Covid safety rules to curb the spread of the virus.

Here is a full list of all the Covid safety measures, including closures; reduced capacity at malls and offices; and compulsory PCR testing for unvaccinated employees. (List ordered according to dates of announcements)

>> Fujairah

- All concerts, music events and social gatherings.

- Reduced capacities:

Public beaches and parks to 70%

Shopping malls to 60%

Cinemas to 50%

Gyms to 50%

Swimming pools at hotels to 50%

Public transport services to 50%

>> Umm Al Quwain

- Malls to operate at 60% capacity.

- All music concerts have been cancelled.

- Maximum of four people per table at eateries.

- Gatherings, including weddings, must not have more than 10 guests.

- Capacity at beaches and parks reduced to 70%.

- Cinema halls capacity reduced to 50%.

>> Ras Al Khaimah

- Cinemas, events venues and gyms can take a maximum of 50% customers capacity.

- Capacity at malls and shopping centres reduced to 60%.

- Gatherings, including marriages, can have a maximum of 10 guests.

- Funerals to have a maximum of 20 mourners.

- Capacity at beaches and public parks reduced to 70%.

- Public transportation, pools and private beaches at hotels to limit their capacity to 50%.

>> Sharjah

- All government employees and some private sector staff to undergo PCR testing for Covid regularly.

- Shopping centres, malls to operate at 60% of capacity.

- Cinemas, entertainment centres to take in only 50% of visitors' capacity.

- Gyms and fitness centres to operate at 50% capacity.

- Parks and beaches to take in only 70% of capacity.

- All concerts postponed for an extendable four weeks.

- Maximum number of people allowed at wedding ceremonies and funeral services to be 10 and 20 people, respectively.

- At eateries, a maximum of 4 people allowed on the same table, if not from same family.

>> Ajman

- All eateries to close by 12 midnight.

- Eateries can take in only 50% capacity.

- Capacity at both wedding and event halls capped at 50 people.

- Unvaccinated government employees take a PCR test for Covid-19 every 7 days.

>> Abu Dhabi

- Abu Dhabi has reduced attendance at government and semi-government offices to 30 per cent.

- Effective February 7, the number of guests has been capped to 10 for marriage ceremonies and family gatherings; and 20 for funerals and mourning services.

- Parties and gatherings have been banned.

- Weekly PCR tests for all unvaccinated employees.

- Cinemas shut until further notice.

- Malls operate at 40 per cent capacity.

- Restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, public beaches and parks to operate at 60 per cent capacity.

- Sports halls can take in only 50 per cent of capacity at a time.

- Gyms, private beaches and swimming pools to operate at 50 per cent capacity

- Taxis and buses to operate at 45 per cent and 75 per cent capacity, respectively.

>> Dubai

- Pubs, bars closed.

- Shopping malls operate at a reduced capacity of 70 per cent.

- Audience capacity of seated indoor venues, including cinemas as well as entertainment and sports venues, reduced to 50 per cent.

- Hotels operate at 70 per cent of total capacity.

- Guests allowed inside swimming pools and private beaches in hotels limited to 70 per cent of total capacity.

- Restaurants and cafes are required to close by 1am. They will also not be allowed to organise any entertainment activities in their premises.

sahim@khaleejtimes.com


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