Dubai reveals guidelines for social gatherings on New Year’s Eve with stiff fines for violators

Dubai has announced a series of guidelines for parties, celebrations and social gatherings planned for New Year’s Eve, with hefty fines set to be imposed on those violating the measures.

The emirate’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management confirmed that while family gatherings and events can be organised in tents and homes, certain precautionary measures will need to be followed.

The committee’s statement came as Dubai started its Pfizer- BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination campaign last week.

Read: Covid-19: All you need to know about Dubai’s Pfizer vaccination campaign

The mandatory guidelines that should be followed by private social gatherings held on New Year’s Eve include:

• Family gatherings and events organised in tents and homes are allowed to accommodate a maximum of 30 people, subject to compliance with the rule of one person per four square metres of venue space

• Attendees are required to wear face masks at all times and practice social distancing

• Elderly people and those with chronic conditions should be advised not to attend these gatherings

• Any person experiencing symptoms such as coughing or fever must refrain from attending events

#Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management approves precautionary measures for New Year's Eve celebrations. pic.twitter.com/RryViDDEEu

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 26, 2020

The committee stressed that guidelines related to private social gatherings will be stringently enforced and inspections will be held to ensure compliance.

Violators will face stiff fines.

The penalties for private social gatherings that violate guidelines will be Dhs50,000 for those hosting or organising the gathering and Dhs15,000 for each attendee.

The preventive measures are aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, the statement added.