Covid-19 rules in UAE: All the places where face masks are no longer required

The UAE relaxed rules regarding the use of masks on Wednesday as daily infections continue to fall

A fruit vendor with his watermelons at the Abu Dhabi Fruits and Vegetables Market during the Coronavirus epidemic. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence and Police sterilisation drive in Mussafah. Victor Besa / The National

A vegetable vendor fixes his gloves at the Abu Dhabi Fruits and Vegetables Market during the Coronavirus epidemic. Victor Besa / The National

A key worker wears a facemask as he walks passed a brightly coloured mural in Media City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A deserted part of JBR, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A digger does some work on an empty Jumeirah beach, this is normally a very popular spot for beach goers, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence and Police sterilisation drive in Mussafah. Victor Besa / The National

A poster on Sheikh Zayed Road shows a family wearing facemasks tell people to Stay at home, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A man walks past fishing boats in Ajman wearing a mask amid the coronavirus crisis. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A market worker boxes up fish at Ras Al Khaimah's dock. Antonie Robertson / The National

Empty streets in RAK as residents stay home for a third week. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents of the Northern Emirates must stay home from 8pm to 6am, but can leave home to shop for essentials outside of those times. Antonie Robertson / The National

A sign outside Dubai Parks and Resorts offers support to frontline workers. Chris Whiteoak / The National

No entry signs at the closed Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A street cleaner sanitises gutters at Marina Mall car park in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The normally busy beaches of Abu Dhabi have been deserted in recent weeks. Victor Besa / The National

A shopper picks up essentials at Carrefour in Dubai's Ibn Battuta Mall. Dubai residents must apply for a permit to leave home. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The only vehicles on Dubai's roads are delivery trucks, bike couriers and minibuses taking essential personnel to and from work. Victor Besa / The National

The empty Al Maktoum Road near Deira Clock Tower in Dubai. It would normally be one of the city's busiest streets. Pawan Singh / The National

A 24-hour stay-home order and the disinfecting of streets has left Dubai streets mostly deserted. Pawan Singh / The National

The famous Deira Clock Tower at the heart of the city's old town. Pawan Singh / The National

The bridge to Meydan hotel and racecourse stands empty on Saturday evening. Reem Mohammed / The National

A shopkeeper waits outside his dress store in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An ambulance on a street in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A quiet street leads to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand mosque in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The empty bridge to Meydan during daytime. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai residents must remain indoors at all times, unless they have a permit for essential shopping. Reem Mohammed / The National

Residents queue outside a supermarket in the Muraqqabat area of Deira in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A customer enters a pharmacy in Dubai. Pharmacies and supermarkets are the only stores allowed to remain open to the public. Pawan Singh / The National

A man rides his bike across the street in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A medical worker in a booth prepares to swab residents at a drive-through test centre in the Dubai suburb of Khawaneej. AFP

Dubai skyline during lockdown. Antonie Robertson / The National

A man takes a taxi after leaving the Business Bay Metro station, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

An awareness board on Meydan road, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

The empty Kite Beach area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A healthcare worker crosses an empty street in Bur Dubai while wearing a mask amid the coronavirus outbreak. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A gentleman crosses an empty street in Oud Metha in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men in face mask walking by nurseries in Warsan. Reem Mohammed / The National

Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic here

The UAE government has relaxed rules about the use of face masks in some public places after a fall in the number of new cases of Covid-19.

Previously, members of the public were required to wear masks almost everywhere outside their homes.

The new rule affects Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

In other words, it covers everywhere except Dubai, which sets its own coronavirus regulations and has already previously eased restrictions on the mandatory use of masks.

So what are the new rules in the other six emirates? And when do you have to wear a mask in Dubai?

The National explains.

When do people no longer have to wear masks?

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said masks are no longer needed in the following situations:

• When exercising outside
• At the beach or by the pool
• While in a car with people from the same household
• While alone in an indoor place
• If in a barber shop or salon
• While undergoing diagnosis and treatment at medical centres

People can also remove their masks when seated at a restaurant. But they must put them back on if they are walking around.

Masks can also be temporarily removed when people are eating or drinking while at the cinema. They must, however, be worn after they finish.

In all other public places, including public and private gatherings, masks are still required.

These new rules are applicable in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

What about Dubai?

The emirate eased rules about masks in late May 2020.

Since then, people have been allowed to remove their masks temporarily under certain conditions.

They are:

• During specific treatments, such as dental or eye, nose or throat examinations
• In the office when alone and not surrounded by others
• During rigorous exercise
• While driving alone or with members of the same family

Like in Abu Dhabi, people can also remove their masks when seated at a restaurant in Dubai. But they must put them back on if they are walking around.

Masks can also be temporarily removed when people are eating or drinking while at the cinema. They must, however, be worn after they finish.

In all other public places, including public and private gatherings, masks are still required.

Are masks still required outside?

Yes, all across the country masks are still required outside, unless the person is exercising.

At what age do children have to start wearing masks?

Mask-wearing is advised for children over the age of two “if they do not have a breathing difficulty or any chronic disease,” according to authorities.

But it is not mandatory until the child is six years old.

Children must be able to remove the masks on their own when needed.

Is anyone exempt from wearing a mask?

Yes, several categories of people are exempt.

These include

• Children under six
• Disabled people who suffer from cognitive, intellectual or sensory disorders that prevent them from being able to breathe or communicate normally
• Anyone who suffers from sensory triggering as a result of mask use. A medical report is required in this case
• Anyone who requires supplemental oxygen or suffers from severe respiratory issues, or struggles to breathe with a mask on. A medical report is required

What is the fine for not wearing a mask when you should be?

Anyone who is found not wearing a mask will be fined Dh3,000.

Review of face masks - in pictures

Cloth reusable facemasks are more environmentally sound than disposable ones, but must be washed every 24 hours to remain effective. All photos by Reem Mohammed / The National

Surgical masks are cheap and effective if worn correctly but create mountains of waste once they are disposed of after each use.

Fineguard manufactures face coverings in the UAE using Livinguard materials that repel viruses. A range of lightweight masks are designed for exercise.

The ViroMasks viroblock mask has a double filter to ease breathing and block 95 per cent of viruses.

At Dh699, the LG Puricare wearable air purifier mask is the most expensive in the UAE.

LG’s Puricare wearable air purifier mask is rechargeable and has two filters and three settings to respond to respiration rates.