Covid-19: UAE announces protocols for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations

The UAE has announced new guidelines to be followed during Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations in the country.

Venues for celebrations will have a capacity limit of 80 per cent, the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has said.

All attendees must provide a negative PCR test result taken within 96 hours and undergo mandatory body temperature testing.

“We urge the organisers of events to regulate entry, avoid overcrowding and use barriers at entrances and exits,” the NCEMA said.

“We also urge the public to wear face masks at all times in enclosed places and avoid overcrowding, in addition to leaving a 1.5-metre safe distance.”

The protocol permits members of the same family to sit together without the need to practice physical distancing.

All venues will need to be regularly sanitised and organisers must also provide sanitisers at the entrances and exits of restrooms.

“We inform the public that organisers of events will form teams to verify the implementation of precautionary measures,” it added.

#NCEMA: As the holiday season and official celebrations approach, we announce, today, the protocol for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.#TogetherWeRecover pic.twitter.com/UgZTBs7UtY

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) December 15, 2021

The NCEMA also urged all those eligible to take Covid-19 vaccine booster doses.

“According to studies and research conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), people who received a booster shot are less vulnerable to infection compared to those who did not,” it said.

“Therefore, receiving the booster shot of the vaccine is key to getting the necessary antibodies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants and genetic mutations.”

So far up to 100 per cent of the UAE’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, while more than 90 per cent have got both doses.

“We urge the public to cooperate and adhere to the Covid-19 precautionary measures. We highlight the importance of social responsibility and the pivotal role of members of the community in preserving the country’s achievements during this crisis,” the NCEMA added.