Masks no longer required in most public places in UAE

Wearing masks is optional in most open and closed facilities and spaces across the UAE, officials have announced.

However, face masks remain mandatory inside medical facilities, mosques and on public transportation, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced, at a special Covid-19 media briefing on Monday.

The directives will come into effect on September 28.

Wearing masks on flights is also no longer a requirement, but airlines can enforce the directive if they deem necessary. Masks are no longer mandatory at private schools, early childhood centres, universities and training institutes in Dubai.

From September 28, face masks are no longer mandatory for private schools, early childhood centres, universities & training institutes in Dubai. Smiles remain compulsory. https://t.co/MikiYJeWJ0

— KHDA | هيئة المعرفة والتنمية البشرية بدبي (@KHDA) September 26, 2022

 

The requirement for worshippers to maintain social distance has also been removed.

As for the Al Hosn app, the Green pass validity has been extended from 14 days to 30 days. However, NCEMA recommended that people with chronic diseases, senior citizens and people of determination should continue to wear masks. They should also conduct a PCR test and follow up on their health status in case they come in contact with a Covid patient.

The isolation period for Covid-19 positive cases has been reduced to five days, for home and/or institutional isolation. Employers need to bear the responsibility for institutional isolation measures, for example, in worker housing cities.

#NCEMA: During our media briefing today, we announce the loosening of COVID-19-related restrictions nationwide, as well as the updates to all sectors, which will be in force from 28th September, 2022.
#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/GoUCp0uih4

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) September 26, 2022

In another major move, the government will no longer publish the number of daily Covid cases from September 28. Updated data, however, will be available on the official websites of the Ministry of Health & Prevention (MoHAP), the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and NCEMA.

The spokesperson concluded that “despite the current stable situation, the pandemic is still ongoing, and the next phase will require community responsibility.”

UAE announced 342 new cases and 323 recoveries in the last 24 hours, a major decline from earlier months.

#UAE announces 342 new #COVID19 cases, 323 recoveries and 1 death in last 24 hours.#TogetherWeRecover #WamNews pic.twitter.com/FTX3mvmxTO

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) September 26, 2022