Violators of Covid-19 restrictions will not be spared: UAE

Abu Dhabi - Emiratis and expats caught violating the Covid-19 regulations and precautionary measures put in place by the government will face legal action.

Violators of Covid-19 restrictions will not be spared irrespective of their nationality, a top official has warned.
"A violation is a violation, regardless of the nationality of the violators. Whether they are Emiratis or expats, they will face legal action," said Dr Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, during a virtual Press briefing on Monday, June 8.
Emiratis and expats caught violating the Covid-19 regulations and precautionary measures put in place by the government will face legal action, said the official.
She said citizens were and will always remain the primary focus of the government and its decision-making.
"UAE nationals are at the centre of interest during the crisis. They are our priority. The Emiratis can reflect this through their actions and be the role model for the rest of the community," said Dr Al Shamsi."UAE nationals are the centre of the interest during the crisis. Emirati nationals are our priority. The EThe emiraties can reflect though their actions and be athe role model for the rest of the community," said Dr Al Shamsi.
Recently, the UAE authorities said they had slapped fines of up to Dh50,000 on a number of citizens and expats who were caught violating the Covid-19 rules.
"His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said we take pride in both expats and citizens. These words indicate our positive values and the UAE is a country of tolerance and expats is valued and respected," said Dr Al Shamsi.
"Our commitment for both nationals and expats should come out as love for this country and a sense of responsibility and to help our leadership and frontline workers to fight this pandemic."
During the briefing, Dr Al Shamsi said the UAE recorded 568 new cases of Covid--19, along with 469 new recoveries. This bought the total number of cases to 39,376 in the country and the total number of recoveries to 22,275. She also announced five deaths from Covid-19, bringing the total number of deaths to 281.
The number of active coronavirus cases in the country has reached 16,820.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com