Saturday 26 February 2022

Covid in UAE: Masks not necessary in open areas

The new rules will become effective from March 1. The wearing of face masks in open areas have been made optional and not mandatory in the U...

The new rules will become effective from March 1.

The wearing of face masks in open areas have been made optional and not mandatory in the UAE, the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) announcement said on Friday.

Social distancing regulations in economic and tourism destinations have also been scrapped. However, face masks will continue to remain mandatory in closed spaces. The new rules will become effective on March 1.

Close contacts of Covid-19 patients are also does not required to go into quarantine. Instead, they must take two PCR tests five days difference, the NCEMA has stated. 

It was suggested to reduce the period of sanitary isolation for the infected to five days. With a PCR examination on the fourth and fifth day, if it is proven that the infection persists, two more examinations are performed on the seventh and eighth day, and if it is proven that the infection persists, the quarantine is completed until the tenth day.

Isolation protocols for infected individuals will continue as previously announced. In most Emirates, individuals tested positive for Covid-19 usually are mandated to undergo a minimum of ten days isolation.

The sweeping reforms comes in line with UAE’s strategy to create a balance between public health and various vital sectors and support the nation’s efforts to achieve sustainable recovery, state news agency WAM has said.

NCEMA has said each emirate is free to take decision regarding the duration of the quarantine period and PCR tests for Covid-19 contacts cases in whatever sectors and professions, according to the vital sectors in the country.

These rules can be exercised while maintaining the need to follow precautionary and preventive measures, which include adherence to physical distancing, and mask-wearing at all times.

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