• From February 26, 2022, the use of masks will only be mandatory in closed, indoor spaces. People are not required by law to wear masks outside. Victor Besa / The National
    From February 26, 2022, the use of masks will only be mandatory in closed, indoor spaces. People are not required by law to wear masks outside. Victor Besa / The National
  • The use of masks outside will be optional, the Supreme Council for National Security said in a Twitter post. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The use of masks outside will be optional, the Supreme Council for National Security said in a Twitter post. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Masks will only be necessary in closed, indoor spaces. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Masks will only be necessary in closed, indoor spaces. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • People will not be required by law to wear masks outside. Reuters
    People will not be required by law to wear masks outside. Reuters
  • Masks must still be worn in all indoor areas and public places — including shopping malls and schools. Reuters
    Masks must still be worn in all indoor areas and public places — including shopping malls and schools. Reuters
  • Face masks have become a household item across the country and are available in shops and pharmacies. Victor Besa / The National
    Face masks have become a household item across the country and are available in shops and pharmacies. Victor Besa / The National
  • Pedestrians had previously been required to wear face masks on the street. Victor Besa / The National
    Pedestrians had previously been required to wear face masks on the street. Victor Besa / The National
  • South Africa cricket fans wearing face masks inside a socially distanced zone at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket game at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi last year. EPA
    South Africa cricket fans wearing face masks inside a socially distanced zone at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket game at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi last year. EPA

UAE drops mandatory wearing of face masks in outside areas


  • English
  • Arabic

People will no longer have to wear face masks outside from Saturday, Abu Dhabi and Dubai's crisis authorities have confirmed.

It followed the announcement on Friday from the UAE federal government's crisis authority that wearing face masks in outdoor areas will no longer be mandatory from February 26.

Instead, the use of face masks outside will now be optional, the Supreme Council for National Security said in a Twitter post.

Face masks must still be worn in all indoor areas and public places — including shopping malls and schools.

In addition, quarantine is no longer required for close contacts, but they should take a PCR test daily for five consecutive days.

In Dubai, close contacts of positive cases who are not experiencing any symptoms do not have to quarantine, and no PCR testing is required.

The decision is among the most significant easing of restrictions since April 2020, when the pandemic spread across the Middle East and the globe.

Further changes were set out by several federal government departments within the same hour.

Ncema said PCR test requirements for fully vaccinated passengers coming to the UAE would be halted.

And Abu Dhabi authorities will drop the need to show a negative PCR test when crossing the border between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Each emirate free to amend rules

In a statement, state news agency Wam said each emirate was free to determine several aspects, including “the quarantine period and PCR tests for Covid contacts in whatever sectors and professions".

Within closed areas, “for economic and tourist sectors, physical distancing has been cancelled while mask-wearing in closed places is still mandatory".

Previous directives have allowed each of the emirates to impose different rules — particularly relating to public venues, bars, restaurants, gatherings in private residences, weddings and funerals — while enforcing federal rules on issues such as mask wearing.

Top post-pandemic destinations for UAE travellers: in pictures

  • 1. Dubai topped the list of destinations for UAE travellers. All photos: Unsplash
    1. Dubai topped the list of destinations for UAE travellers. All photos: Unsplash
  • 2. Abu Dhabi ranks second.
    2. Abu Dhabi ranks second.
  • 3. Switzerland is the international destination UAE travellers have the highest impression of.
    3. Switzerland is the international destination UAE travellers have the highest impression of.
  • 4. Singapore was the second-top international destination in the YouGov survey.
    4. Singapore was the second-top international destination in the YouGov survey.
  • 5. Fifth-ranked Canada.
    5. Fifth-ranked Canada.
  • 6. The Maldives ranked sixth overall, and the fourth-best international destination.
    6. The Maldives ranked sixth overall, and the fourth-best international destination.
  • 7. Still tightly sealed to tourists, Japan is the seventh most coveted destination for UAE residents.
    7. Still tightly sealed to tourists, Japan is the seventh most coveted destination for UAE residents.
  • 8. The UK may drop passenger locator forms for foreign travellers in April.
    8. The UK may drop passenger locator forms for foreign travellers in April.
  • 9. Germany scored 23.2 in the survey.
    9. Germany scored 23.2 in the survey.
  • 10. South Korea rounded up the list with a score of 21.8.
    10. South Korea rounded up the list with a score of 21.8.
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The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

Pots for the Asian Qualifiers

Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

Eyasses squad

Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)

Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)  

Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)

Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)

Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)

Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)

Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)         

Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
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Updated: February 28, 2022, 4:08 AM