UAE: Fines announced for gatherings during Eid Al Fitr 2021

Officials in the UAE have warned against gatherings to celebrate Eid Al Fitr 2021 as a necessary measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Abu Dhabi Police took to social media on Tuesday to note that all gatherings and parties in the emirate are banned and that hosts of any such gatherings will be fined Dh10,000, whereas each guest will also be fined Dh5,000. The police have called on the public to report any violations of this directive.

#أخبارنا | #شرطة_أبوظبي تُهيب بالجمهور الالتزام بالإجراءات الاحترازية وتجنب "التجمعات" خلال العيد#عيد_الفطر_المباركhttps://t.co/3CA1Ei9PLT pic.twitter.com/rKUlUsuWJs

— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) May 11, 2021

According to local media reports, the Dubai Police too issued rules against gatherings of more than five people in the emirate. The host of gatherings that violate this directive will reportedly be fined Dh50,000, while each guest attending it will also be fined Dh15,000.

On Monday, Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), stressed the importance of avoiding visits and family gatherings and maintaining all other precautionary measures, reported state news agency WAM.

#NCEMA: We stress the importance of adhering to the precautionary measures in place, especially during the blessed Eid Al-Fitr period and avoiding family visits and gatherings.#TogetherWeRecover

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) May 10, 2021

He urged residents to exchange Eid greetings virtually and to refrain from exchanging gifts or food between neighbours, as well as to avoid giving children Eid presents and cash gifts.

The NCEMA confirmed that Eid Al Fitr prayers can only be performed for 15 minutes and must be done so with attendees wearing facemasks and maintaining physical distancing.

Al Dhaheri said that people infected with Covid-19, or those exposed to infected people, and people with chronic diseases too, are prohibited from attending these Eid prayers.

#NCEMA: Today, we announce conducting Eid al-Fitr prayer and its protocol, as it was decided to limit the prayer time to 15 minutes, including "Khutbah", where precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and physical distancing must be applied.#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/hvEDgfNgsq

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) May 10, 2021

Prayers will take place in approved mosques and musallas across the UAE. He said that elderly people over 60 and children under 12 should not go to mosques for their own safety.

Authorities will supervise the process of entry and exit from mosques to avoid overcrowding and organise prayers, adding that mosques will open 15 minutes before prayers and will be closed immediately after the prayers.