Living In UAE

COVID-19: Latest disinfection drive timings and fines in the UAE explained

All you need to know about changes in timings and which shops will stay open for 24 hours

Published: May 19, 2020 09:41 Huda Tabrez, Senior News Editor

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On May 18, UAE’s authorities announced several updates on the national disinfection programme as well as the country’s measures on fighting the spread of COVID-19, including fines for violations. Here is all you need to know. — New announcements were made regarding the UAE's National Disinfection Drive on May 18, along with a list of fines and penalties against those found violating the regulations. Here is all you need to know. Image Credit: Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News

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New timings for National Disinfection Programme Starting May 20, the timings for the National Disinfection programme were updated: Now from 8pm to 6am. — From May 20, 2020, the timings for the National Disinfection Drive will be from 8pm to 6am each day, until further notice. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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These timings would continue to be implemented until further notice. — Picture used for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: Atiq Ur Rehman /Gulf News

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Eid break Based on the sighting of the moon, Eid may fall on May 23 or May 24. During Eid holidays, malls and shopping centres would be open from 9am to 7pm as part of the changes. — The timings will also be implemented during the Eid break. Malls will be open from 9am to 7pm. Image Credit: Atiq Ur Rehman /Gulf News

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The malls will be required to apply all procedures and precautionary measures issued by UAE’s authorities. — Malls will adhere to all the guidelines that were issued by authorities regarding the first phase of reopening. Read more about it here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1587633711493 Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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After the Eid break, new timings of malls and shopping centres will be announced. — New timings for malls and shopping centres will be announced after the Eid break. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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Closure of places of worship The closure of mosques and places of worship will continue until further notice. Eid prayers and all prayers will be performed at home. — Mosques and other places of worship will continue to remain closed. Eid prayers and all other prayers will be performed at home. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

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Which shops are open 24 hours? According to the press briefing on May 18, the following retail outlets would continue to operate throughout the day: — Some shops will continue to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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• Food outlets • Cooperatives • Groceries • Supermarkets • Pharmacies These were excluded from the disinfection drive restrictions. — Food outlets, cooperatives, groceries, supermarkets and pharmacies are exempted from the disinfection drive restrictions. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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Shops with reduced timings The following retail establishments were allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm: • Butchers • Vegetable and fruit shops — Some retailers will be allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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• Slaughter houses • Fish selling outlets • Mills • Confectionery shops — These include butcheries, vegetable and fruit shops, slaughter houses, fish selling outlets, mills and confectionery shops. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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Fines against violators The authorities also released a revised list of fines for those who violate COVID-19 rules and restrictions: — These are the new announcements regarding fines for those who violate restrictions. Image Credit: Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News

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• Dh50,000: Fines for those who don't abide by closure of schools, gyms, cinema, parks, cafes, restaurants, pools. Dh50,000 fine also applies to those not abiding by opening and closing times of restaurants, parks, malls, etc. — Fine for not abiding by restriction timings and closure announcements: Dh50,000. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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• Dh10,000: Fines for individuals who have or had COVID-19 and refuse to download the Al Hosn app used for COVID-19 tracing. — Fine for COVID-19 positive individuals not downloading the national tracing app - Al Hosn UAE - Dh10,000. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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• Dh20,000: Fines for individuals who have or had COVID-19 and try to tamper with tracking device or app installed by authorities. • Dh20,000: Not placing thermal cameras where required. — Fine for tampering with tracking device or app: Dh20,000. Similar fine for not placing thermal cameras where required. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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• Dh10,000: Fine for a host organising a party or gathering. Dh5,000 fine will be levied on each attendee. • Dh3,000: Fine for more than three people travelling in a car, or for not wearing masks. — Hosting a party or gathering can also lead to a Dh10,000 fine for the host and Dh5,000 fine for attendees. If more than three people are found travelling in a car, or not wearing face masks, they will be fined Dh3,000. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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• Dh5,000: Fine against the company if employees are not wearing masks at work, offices: Dh500 fine for employee. — Not wearing a mask in the office can lead to a Dh500 fine for the employee and Dh5,000 fine for the company. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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• Dh3,000: Company failing to maintain 30 per cent limit on workforce at office. — If more than 30 per cent of the staff in a company is found working from the office, the company will be fined Dh3,000. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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• Dh5,000: Fine against establishment for not maintaining social distancing at work, shops or restaurants, Dh3,000 fine against each person involved. — Not maintaining social distance can lead to a fine of Dh3,000 against individuals and Dh5,000 against establishments. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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• Dh5,000: Shops that operate beyond permitted times. • Dh5,000: Refusing to do a COVID-19 test. • Dh1,000: Refusing to redo a COVID-19 test after two weeks. — You can also not refuse to take a COVID-19 test - if you refuse to take the initial test, you will be fined Dh5,00 and refusal to take the second test after two weeks of the first test can lead to a fine of Dh1,000. Image Credit: Antonin Kélian Kallouche/Gulf News

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• Dh3,000: Violating restrictions during disnifection period. • Dh30,000: Fine against private tutors violating current rules, Dh20,000 for whoever hosts the tutor. — Any violations of restrictions will get you fined for Dh3,000. Private tutoring has also been disallowed, with fines against the tutor and the host. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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• Dh10,000: Fine against a company moving workers between emirates and the vehicle will be confiscated. • Dh50,000: Fine against those who fail to comply with home and health quarantine. — Moving workers between emirates can lead to a fine of Dh10,000 for the organisation and the confiscation of the vehicle. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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Repeat offenders The offender will be referred to the Public Prosecution in case of repeated violations and/or non-compliance with the quarantine instructions for the second time. — Repeat offenders will be dealt with strictly, with criminal proceedings being initiated. Image Credit: Atiq Ur Rehman /Gulf News

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He or she will undergo a criminal trial, and can face imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months, and a fine of not less than Dh100,000, or one of these two penalties. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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The article will be updated with any new announcements made regarding the movement restrictions for the disinfection drive. — More updates and announcements to follow. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

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