Covid-19: UAE updates protocols for house gatherings, business charter flights

The UAE has issued new guidelines for gatherings, weddings and funerals held at home with capacity capped at 80 per cent, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced on Tuesday.

The new protocol includes setting an attendee limit of not more than 60 people, in addition to 10 extra individuals as service staff, the NCEMA said.

Only attendees who have received the vaccine more than 14 days ago are allowed to attend, provided they meet the green pass requirements through the Al Hosn application, and those of the third dose and other relevant protocols, confirmed Dr Taher Al Ameri, NCEMA’s official spokesperson.

All attendees must provide negative results of PCR tests conducted less than 48 hours prior to the event’s date, he added.

Organisers will also need to ensure that preventive measures including temperature checks, mandatory face mask-wearing and sanitisation are followed at the venues.

The entry process will be regulated to avoid overcrowding, along with using barriers to organise entry and exit activities, NCEMA added.

“We urge attendees to not shake hands and keep to a physical distance of 1.5 metres at all times, while a maximum of 10 persons may be seated at the same table,” Al Ameri said.

“We also urge you to not show up to such events if you have any respiratory symptoms or fevers.”

#NCEMA: To advance our gradual return to a new normalcy, we are announcing an updated protocol on gatherings, weddings and funerals held at homes.#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/NHauo5RP3b

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 19, 2021

BUSINESS CHARTER FLIGHTS

The NCEMA also updated the protocols for business charter flights, with residents and visitors stipulated to register their arrival by submitting the relevant details through the ICA (Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship) website.

They must also present the official approval issued by the ICA and Customs and Ports Security and a copy of vaccination certificates upon arrival, Al Ameri said.

Those arriving on charter flights must also present a negative PCR test result with a QR code dated less than 48 hours prior to departure, as well as a negative result of a Rapid PCR test taken at the airport within six hours of the departure time.

They will also need to take a PCR test upon arrival to the UAE, with two more to be taken on the fourth and eight days.

The protocol also includes cancelling the maximum capacity of business charter flights, allowing all vaccinated people to enter the UAE.

#NCEMA: Under the framework of the gradual opening of all sectors and in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the General Civil Aviation Authority, we are pleased to announce the business flight protocol.#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/abHCyyRAS4

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) October 19, 2021

“We urge the public to continue adhering to applicable guidelines, which will strengthen the recovery process and further reduce infections,”
Al Ameri added.

The UAE has seen a decline in the number of Covid-19 infections in recent weeks – earlier this week it reported 99 cases – the lowest since March 2020.

Read: Covid-19: UAE reports less than 100 cases for the first time since March 2020

The country is seeking to achieve acquired immunity via vaccination, with 96.45 per cent of the population having received the first dose and 86.45 per cent of the population being fully vaccinated.

The UAE has also conducted close to 90 million Covid-19 tests as part of efforts to ensure early detection of cases.