The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced new updates to the COVID-19 preventive measures and the operating capacities of establishments.
The capacity of shopping malls, restaurants, cafes and public facilities in the UAE has been the longest regulated and capped. At one point it even dropped to 50%. It gradually moved up to 70% and NCEMA just announced that it has risen again!
Hotel establishments, cinemas, restaurants, shopping malls, cafes, the whole nine have increased their capacity limits
Let’s break it down so you have a clear picture! Although capacity has increased in those areas, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks is still mandatory.
- Hotels can operate at FULL capacity.
- Cinemas, museums, restaurants, cafes and shopping centers can run at 80% of their capacity. Restaurants and cafes in Dubai allow a maximum of 10 people to sit at one table.
- Public transport has increased capacity to 75%.
- Events and wedding halls have a new 60% capacity, but the number of guests cannot exceed 300 people.
Some rules modified to attend live events
Live events and exhibitions can only be attended by those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and it has been less than 6 months since the second dose. This includes participants in clinical trials.
People with chronic illnesses and the elderly can only participate if no more than 3 months have passed since their second dose.
Those wishing to attend events must submit a negative PCR test within 48 hours, plus the letter E or gold start displayed on the Al Hosn app. The NCEMA also urges companies to use the ‘green pass’ protocol for certain categories of events to prevent the spread.
NCEMA called on all members of the community to cooperate and adhere to all preventive measures to help curb the spread of the pandemic in the coming period.