The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced on Wednesday, February 9, that all economic, tourist, and entertainment facilities, shopping centres, and public transportation will be back to full capacity by mid-February.
However, the authority also emphasized the need for people to continue to take precautionary measures, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To ensure community health and safety, here is everything you need to know about the announcement and additional measures that will remain in place.
What is the maximum capacity of events in the UAE?
NCEMA announced that it will increase the maximum capacity of social events, such as weddings and funerals. In each emirate, local committees will decide the percentages for operating capacity for different social events and public places.
Social distancing in places of worship
There will be a one-meter social distancing rule in mosques and other places of worship.
For public places and events, what are the updated COVID-19 health protocols?
1. Al Hosn Green Pass
Downloading the Al Hosn app to your smartphone can ensure community health and safety. NCEMA announced that attendees will need to provide the Green Pass when completing the application to enter various public places.
Also, the federal authority noted that local emergency, crisis, and disaster management committees in each Emirate will monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust procedures accordingly.
2. Wearing masks, sanitization
NCEMA said that despite easing restrictions, precautionary measures should still be taken, such as wearing masks and avoiding social contact.
3. Get the booster shot
In addition, NCEMA urged residents and citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to get their booster shots if they received both doses.
NCEMA tweeted: “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.”
What is a Green Pass for Al Hosn’s application?
The Al Hosn app has three different colors for each individual user based on their vaccination status as well as whether they have tested positive for COVID-19. Having a ‘Green’ status means that a person is fully vaccinated and has a negative PCR test result.
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between 5 and 11 years of age
NCEMA also urged parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 during the weekly media briefing. Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinopharm vaccines are currently available in the UAE for children.
NCEMA stated that children will receive two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. 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.”
The UAE approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use in November but announced that children could begin receiving the vaccine on February 3.