Dubai Police could issue fines of up to Dhs1m for defying StayHome campaign

The Dubai Police tweeted on Tuesday night that it had arrested a European national of Arab origin for posting a video showing her indifference to the #StayHome campaign launched by the authorities in the UAE and encouraging others to defy the ban.

The statement added that inciting non-compliance with safety measures will lead to imprisonment and/or a fine of between Dhs200,000-Dhs1m.

. @DubaiPoliceHQ has arrested a European national of Arab origin for posting a video showing her indifference to the #StayHome national campaign and encouraging people to defy authorities’ social distancing instructions. Legal measures were taken against her. pic.twitter.com/TKK36bVePw

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 24, 2020

The Dubai Police has also started using drones to ensure compliance with its directives and to disseminate messages of avoiding public spaces as a precautionary measure to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

“Our drones are equipped with cameras that can photograph events, whether during the day or night. They can also carry loudspeakers to broadcast Dubai Police messages and announcements to the public,” said Colonel Al Madhani Saeed Al Madhani, Director of Ports Police Station in Dubai.

#News | #Dubai_Police Drones reinforce Coronavirus Precautionary Measures

Details:https://t.co/L1OsY6tdKH#YourSecurityOurHappiness pic.twitter.com/gTTZiqZFZe

— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) March 24, 2020

Apart from the monitoring compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines, the Ports Police Station already used drones as part of its daily operations, under the “Nawras” (Seagull) project in collaboration with the Drone Centre in Dubai Police, to carry out tasks including follow-up on marine incidents, navigation issues and to secure public beaches and activities in their jurisdiction.

To contain the spread of the coronavirus, the UAE has already told its residents to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or to perform “essential jobs”.

Read: UAE urges all residents to stay home as it closes malls, makes restaurants delivery-only

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority have also announced the closure of all public and private beaches, parks, swimming pools, movie theatres, and sports halls and lounges across the country.

Read: UAE closes leisure sites, beaches, sports halls for two weeks

The UAE Ministry of Justice meanwhile has confirmed that the Covid-19 is now included under the country’s law on communicable diseases and that those who violate the precautionary measures outlined by authorities to prevent the spread of the disease are liable to imprisonment and/or fines.

Read: UAE includes Covid-19 under communicable diseases law; violators to be fined, jailed

The Sharjah Police shared a video on their social media platforms on Tuesday showing how they too were using drones to broadcast public safety messages and encouraging people to stay at home.

Read more: Video: Sharjah Police use drones to reinforce coronavirus movement restrictions