No renewal of Emirates ID in the UAE until Stay Home fines are paid

People who violate the Stay Home directives will not be able to renew their Emirates IDs until they pay the fines, media reports have indicated citing a senior official with the Sharjah Police.

The UAE has said that it will impose a Dhs2,000 fine for any person leaving their home for unnecessary reasons except for performing vital jobs or buying essential necessities during the Covid-19 precautionary measures.

Read: Covid-19 spread: UAE issues updated list of fines for violations

The Sharjah police have deployed a total of 120 patrols in various parts of the city to enforce the regulation to combat the spread of coronavirus and issue fines to the offenders, including motorists and pedestrians, reported Khaleej Times.

The official added that a number of pedestrians who were wandering on the roads without valid reasons during the sterilisation hours were fined by the patrols.

“The fines are registered on the Emirates Identity Card of the residents. The police patrols would stop the person and request his ID card. If the reason they give are found to be silly, the number of the Emirates ID will be recorded in the electronic system. They will not be able to renew the ID before paying the fines,” he explained.

In the neighbouring emirate of Dubai, a 24-hour sterilisation programme is currently underway with residents, including cyclists and pedestrians, needing permits to exit from their homes for essential purposes like sourcing groceries or tending to medical needs.

On Wednesday, the Dubai Police said that they will begin posting the pictures of ‘reckless’ residents who disregard the Stay Home directives without blurring their faces.

Read: Dubai Police to post pictures of ‘reckless’ residents; clarifies outdoor exercises not allowed

On March 30, the country’s attorney general Hamad Saif Al Shamsi issued an updated resolution on the enforcement of penalties for violations related to the spread of the coronavirus stipulating 15 fines ranging from Dhs1,000 to up to Dhs50,000.

He added that any person in the UAE leaving their home for “unnecessary reasons” or who “unnecessarily” visits health facilities will be fined.

On April 8, the UAE’s Ministry of Health reported 300 new coronavirus cases in the country taking the total number of confirmed cases up to 2,659.

Read: UAE confirms 300 new Covid-19 cases; Saudi reports 137 additional cases