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

Anyone who does not follow the law - including the mandatory use of masks - faces legal action

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

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.

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