It is a day to celebrate as face masks are no longer mandatory in the United Arab Emirates.
Finally, masks are being scrapped from Wednesday September 28, as we take another step to normality following the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March 2020.
The declaration ‘masks no longer mandatory’ is likely to be one you hear a lot over the next few days as people adjust to the new COVID-19 rules.
However, masks remain mandatory in hospitals, mosques and public transport, while in other indoor spaces it is down to personal preference.
If you are sick, elderly or have COVID-19 symptoms you are advised to wear a mask.
We expect people will be shouting hooray from the top of their lungs as face coverings are binned once and for all (we hope).
The welcomed update was shared on Monday September 26 by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
The authority explained that face coverings will now be a thing of the past during a news conference and via Twitter.
Over in the capital, there was also an update that the Al HOSN green pass is mandatory to enter federal buildings and if you are vaccinated you must have the pass updated once monthly and if not, every seven days.
This is an extension of the previous ruling of every 14 days.
Other updates included that the isolation period for people testing positive for COVID-19 is now five days.
Those who have been in close contact with those people who have tested positive for COVID-19 are advised to do a PCR test if they have symptoms.
Vulnerable and old people who have been in close contact with people testing positive are advised to do a test and monitor their health for seven days.
Mask wearing has slowly but surely been phased out in the UAE in the past few months and since Saturday February 26, it has been optional to wear face masks in outdoor areas.
However, on Monday June 13 the UAE reinforced the importance of wearing face masks indoors in the ongoing preventative and precautionary measures against COVID-19.
Up until now, not wearing a face mask in public could face a fine of Dhs3000, which no one will be at risk of now as mask wearing is no longer required.
It comes after the last COVID-19 update on August 25, where people expected mask wearing rules to end, but instead it was announced that mask-wearing was to remain in educational settings.
Social distancing in schools was removed and down to each facility to decide, but parents of school children have eagerly been awaiting the news that kiddos no longer have to sit in class wearing face coverings.
As of Wednesday this week, that will now be the case as school children are not required to wear masks inside.
Source: Timeout Dubai
