Anyone playing cricket must follow the Covid-19 rules. Pawan Singh / The National
Anyone playing cricket must follow the Covid-19 rules. Pawan Singh / The National
Anyone playing cricket must follow the Covid-19 rules. Pawan Singh / The National
Anyone playing cricket must follow the Covid-19 rules. Pawan Singh / The National

Coronavirus: Anyone playing sport in RAK neighbourhoods must follow rules or face fines


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Anyone playing football, cricket or other sports in neighbourhoods in Ras Al Khaimah must follow Covid-19 rules.

Those who fail to follow the law – which includes the mandatory use of masks – will face fines and other legal action, police warned.

Police said playing sports “randomly in neighbourhoods without abiding by precautionary or preventive measures is banned”.

“[Playing] other sports such as cricket in housing compounds, and between buildings and neighbourhoods, without commitment or compliance with the application of precautionary and preventive measures, is also banned.

“Failure to abide by these precautionary measures exposes violators to be held accountable by competent authorities and related fines will be applicable.”

The UAE reported 1,717 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday. Officials expanded the country’s vaccination campaign to all eligible citizens and residents, after prioritising at-risk groups for the past six weeks.

Cases have reduced significantly since January when daily cases were almost 4,000.

The drop has coincided with one of the world's fastest vaccination programmes in the world.

The UAE reported last week that it had achieved its objective of vaccinating half the country’s population, two weeks before its target date.

Authorities have administered more than 7.18 million doses, which represents 72.61 doses for every 100 people.

On Sunday, the UAE said it was expanding efforts to inoculate all residents against Covid-19 by urging people still waiting for the vaccine to book appointments immediately.

The UAE and coronavirus - in pictures

  • A man wears a face mask in Al Jadaf area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A man wears a face mask in Al Jadaf area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A shopkeeper lights coal to burn incense to attract customers to his shop in Dubai's Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A shopkeeper lights coal to burn incense to attract customers to his shop in Dubai's Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A shopkeeper in Deira Souq. He fills a bag with tea leaves that he hopes to sell to tourists. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A shopkeeper in Deira Souq. He fills a bag with tea leaves that he hopes to sell to tourists. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Men talk at the Abra station near the Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Men talk at the Abra station near the Spice Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • An almost empty street in Deira Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
    An almost empty street in Deira Souq. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Pedestrians wait to cross Baniyas Street in Deira. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Pedestrians wait to cross Baniyas Street in Deira. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A sign at the Old Souq Abra Station in Deira reminds people to wear a mask. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A sign at the Old Souq Abra Station in Deira reminds people to wear a mask. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People step off an abra in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People step off an abra in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National