UAE scraps face mask requirement for select locations

The UAE announced on Wednesday that it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask in some places, while still adhering to social distancing rules of two metres.

People exercising in public places, visiting beaches and open swimming pools, as well as those who are alone in closed spaces, are not mandated to wear a mask.

More so, those obtaining personal services in barber shops and salons and when being diagnosed and receiving treatment in medical centres and clinics, need not wear face masks as well.

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) have said that the decision comes following the noticeable decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in the country.

#الطوارئ_والأزمات ووزارة الصحة: السماح بعدم إلزامية إرتداء الكمام في بعض الأماكن مع التقيد بتطبيق التباعد بمسافة 2 متر، وذلك بعد رصد الانخفاض الملحوظ في أعداد الإصابات بالدولة نتيجة نجاح الجهود الوطنية في عمليات تقصي الإصابات وتوفر اللقاحات المتعددة.https://t.co/i7Gn84CQut pic.twitter.com/A5RO9OIp9A

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) September 22, 2021

The UAE has seen a steady decline in the number of new Covid-19 cases in recent weeks. The health ministry reported 322 new Covid-19 cases on September 21, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the country to 733,325.