The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee (ADECDC) has introduced newly updated measures, including limiting indoor events to 50 people, with COVID-19 infection rates in the UAE as high as they have been for six months.
1,803 cases of COVID-19 were recorded at the beginning of the week in the UAE, compared to the 2,184 recorded at the end of June. Abu Dhabi has consequently updated its guidelines for hosting indoor and outdoor social events and family celebrations in the emirate. The move enhances precautionary measures and protect public health, reported official UAE news agency WAM.
It added: “Effective 26 December 2021, venues hosting social events such as wedding ceremonies, funerals and family gatherings are to operate at 60% maximum occupancy. The maximum number of people permitted at indoor events should not exceed 50, and attendees at outdoor events and open-air activities should not number more than 150. Social events at home should not host more than 30 people.
“Meanwhile, entry to social events requires adherence to existing precautionary measures, including showing green pass on Alhosn App and presenting a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours and wearing masks while observing physical distancing protocol.”
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee is also increasing inspection and monitoring to ensure compliance with all preventive and precautionary measures and help maintain a low Covid-19 infection rate in Abu Dhabi emirate.
The Committee is urging the public to continue observing precautionary measures by avoiding crowded places, wearing masks that cover both nose and mouth, and practising physical distancing by keeping at least 2m apart, and regularly washing and sanitising hands: “The Committee also encourages those eligible to receive a booster vaccine dose, and maintain green status on Alhosn App : through regular PCR testing.”
The UAE is currently hosting the EXPO 2020 Dubai event where visitor numbers have increased to a total of 8,067,012 since its opening on 1 October. Described as the world’s most significant global gathering of 2021, the event organisers stressed this week that its stringent COVID-19 safety measures are designed to protect everyone on site, and include mandatory mask-wearing – indoors and outdoors – for visitors, as well as all staff and participants.
Venues may also close temporarily for deep cleaning and sanitisation in response to positive cases detected by extensive workforce testing protocols, as well as for maintenance, private events and staff shortages.
It added that visitors and performers have shown collective responsibility in the face of heightened health concerns. Academy and Grammy award-winning composer A.R. Rahman, during a special concert on 22 December, thanked audiences for being responsible and encouraged everyone to wear masks – a message echoed on Christmas Day by award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga and internationally acclaimed singer and pianist Joe Stilgoe.