The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) announced Wednesday, February 9, that all economic, tourist, and entertainment facilities, shopping centers, and public transportation will be fully operational by mid-February.
The authority also emphasized the precautions people need to continue to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To ensure community health and safety, here’s what you need to know about the announcement and the additional measures that will remain in place.
Is there a maximum capacity for events in the UAE?
NCEMA announced that the maximum capacity for social events, such as weddings and funerals, will increase. In each Emirate, local committees will determine the percentages for operating capacity for different social events and public places.
Cinemas will return to full capacity
As of Tuesday, February 15, the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Culture and Youth will be operating cinemas at full capacity.
The capacity of football stadiums has increased by 100 percent
In the UAE, football fans will now be able to attend games in stadiums that are 100 percent occupied. The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) announced that the decision to increase the capacity of football stadiums was taken in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the UAE Pro League.
COVID-19 health and safety measures will, however, remain in place. Here are the rules for attending football games in the UAE:
- Children over the age of 12 will be allowed entry.
- Al Hosn Green Passes must be presented by spectators.
- Attendees should have a valid COVID-19 negative PCR test result obtained less than 96 hours prior to the match.
- If a child aged under 12 receives both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and has a negative PCR test result within 96 hours of the game, they will be allowed to view the match from the stands.
Social distancing at places of worship
Mosques and other places of worship will reduce social distancing to one meter.
What are the updated COVID-19 health protocols for public events and places?
1. Al Hosn Green Pass
Downloading the Al Hosn app on your smartphone is one way to ensure community health and safety. In accordance with NCEMA’s announcement, attendees will need to provide the Green Pass on the application to enter various public areas.
The federal authority also stated that emergency, local crisis, and disaster management committees in each Emirate will monitor COVID-19 and adjust their capacities and procedures accordingly. To read more about the Al Hosn app system in Abu Dhabi click here.
2. Wearing masks, sanitization
Despite the relaxation of restrictions, NCEMA still encourages precautionary measures, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing.
3. Get the booster shot
NCEMA also urged citizens and residents to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive a booster shot, if they received both doses of the vaccine.
NCEMA tweeted on February 9, 2022: “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and efficient in preventing infection and are very effective in reducing severe symptoms, hospitalizations, ICU admission, and deaths. Moreover, vaccination is the best way to curb the spread of COVID-19.”
On the Al Hosn application, how does one get a Green Pass?
Users of the Al Hosn app see different colors based on their vaccination status and whether they have tested positive for COVID-19. The green status indicates that the person has been fully vaccinated and has a valid negative PCR test result.
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 5-11
NCEMA also urged parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 during the weekly briefing. Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm vaccines are currently available in the UAE for children.
NCEMA stated that the Pfizer vaccine would be administered to children in two basic doses. They also tweeted: “There is no major difference in terms of the components of the two types of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, but the vaccine for children aged between 5 and 11 contains a smaller dose compared to the adult vaccine.”
In November, the UAE approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use for children ages 5 to 11 but announced that children can receive the vaccine as of February 3, 2022.