The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) issued the amended set of COVID-19 rules for the month of Ramadan on Monday. The standards cover topics such as visiting iftar tents and social isolation. According to the NCEMA, entering iftar tents will require a green card and face masks. To control the admission and departure of individuals, security guards or volunteers will need to be stationed at each Ramadan tent.
According to NCEMA, prior permission from the Emirates Red Crescent is required to set up Iftar tents. Ramadan is slated to begin on April 2, although this will only be verified following a moon sighting. Each emirate’s local emergency crisis and disaster management committees will be responsible for approving or refusing the building of any Iftar tents. They will also be in charge of determining the number of individuals permitted in each tent in collaboration with ERC.
تماشياً مع استراتيجية دولة #الإمارات في المحافظة على صحة وسلامة المجتمع في ظل استمرار الأنشطة المختلفة، ودعماً للجهود الوطنية لتحقيق التعافي المستدام وعودة الحياة الطبيعية الجديدة، تُعلن #الطوارئ_والأزمات عن بروتوكول إقامة خيم إفطار صائم لشهر رمضان المبارك.#يدا_بيد_نتعافى pic.twitter.com/Pb30VERMkw
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 14, 2022
The capacity of each tent will be determined by the Local Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management committees in each emirate, provided that a proper physical distance of one metre is kept between each individual. The authorities also stated that facemasks and sanitisers must be supplied in each tent, as well as instructions to adhere to mask-wearing, physical distance, and hand sanitising. To reduce congestion, the new regulations state that Iftar tents will only be available two hours before the Iftar (Maghrib prayer).
Given the extreme temperatures outside and the needed safety rules, tents must be designed in the shape of an umbrella, which means they must be open on all sides or air-conditioned. The authorities said unequivocally that single-use tablecloths are required. It is also recommended that tent hostesses utilise disposable dishes, glasses, and forks. Masks are still required, except while eating or drinking. Earlier this Ramadan, the UAE revoked all annual Ramadan tent licences to assist the government’s cautious and preventative steps to combat the spread of COVID-19.
