Starting today (February 15th), the relaxation of COVID-19 capacity limitations in public locations and events in the UAE has started. During its weekly media conference, last Wednesday, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) said that all economic and tourism facilities, transportation modes and shopping malls will be fully operational by mid-February. The Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Culture and Youth also stated on Sunday that theatres in the UAE will run at full capacity beginning February 15. NCEMA stated that each emirate has the authority to change cinema capacity, relaxing or tightening processes as they see suitable.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UAE has handled the crisis very professionally. The decision to raise capacity in cinemas follows the success of the efforts of the UAE government agencies in combating the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of the Media Regulatory Office, said in a statement. “The strict precautionary measures imposed by the agencies and the community’s adherence to those have reduced the spread of the virus and ensured the health and safety for all,” he added.
As part of broader efforts to lessen limitations, a social distancing between mosque worshipers has been decreased to one metre. Masks, on the other hand, will continue to be compulsory. The pandemic will be watched, and preventive measures will be changed as needed, according to the announcement. It was also decided to increase the maximum capacity of social events, such as funerals and weddings, and local governments would set the permitted number of attendees.
According to NCEMA, the relaxing of limitations was caused by a decrease in the number of daily COVID-19 infections, indicating a clear improvement in the country’s epidemiological condition. The general population has been asked to use the green pass system on the AlHosn app.
