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Private events, gatherings behind spike in new Covid infections: Dubai Police chief

Dubai - Only 10 people will be allowed to attend weddings, social events or private parties in a hotel or at home from January 27.

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Lieutenant-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, has singled out private events, parties and meetings as the primary cause behind an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the UAE.

He warned that the lack of implementing precautionary measures — such as ensuring social distance, wearing masks, and avoiding unnecessary gatherings — was also behind the recent surge in numbers.

The commander-in-chief said those attending events must think twice before doing so, and ask themselves relevant questions: has the event organiser asked all attendees for PCR tests? How many people will be coming? Are the numbers of invited people suitable for the space of the place?

He noted that the public are the partners in any move to keep the contagion at bay. “No country can ever face such a pandemic alone, unless the people are cooperating with the authorities to help them stop the infections,” Al Marri added.

Also read: Dubai announces new Covid safety rules: Full list

He explained that people must abide by the precautionary measures to protect themselves and the society, because it is not possible for authorities to enter every house to investigate if they’re implementing the measures or not.

“We call on everyone to think again, when it comes to the decision of not implementing the precautionary measures, and the fact that you could be infected,” he said.

He also called on citizens and residents to report any violations they see to the police.

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has issued elaborate directives to control the spike in new Covid-19 cases. On Friday, the committee put a cap on the maximum number of people who are allowed to attend a wedding, social event, private party, at 10 in a hotel or at home. The new restrictions will come into effect from January 27.

Moreover, Al Marri pointed to the three vaccines that the UAE has provided in the fight against Covid-19. “Is there any other country in the world that has provided such services to the people?” he added.

He said that he hopes that people will be more cooperative with the authorities in the days ahead, so that the country can beat the pandemic.

On Saturday, UAE health authorities reported that as many as 87,720 people have been vaccinated against Covid-19. So far, 2.42 million UAE nationals and residents have received the jab at a dose rate of 24.54 per 100 people.

• Dubai