• 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


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  • 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.
AT%20A%20GLANCE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWindfall%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAn%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20profits%20levy%E2%80%9D%20to%20raise%20around%20%C2%A35bn%20in%20a%20year.%20The%20temporary%20one-off%20tax%20will%20hit%20oil%20and%20gas%20firms%20by%2025%20per%20cent%20on%20extraordinary%20profits.%20An%2080%20per%20cent%20investment%20allowance%20should%20calm%20Conservative%20nerves%20that%20the%20move%20will%20dent%20North%20Sea%20firms%E2%80%99%20investment%20to%20save%20them%2091p%20for%20every%20%C2%A31%20they%20spend.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EA%20universal%20grant%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EEnergy%20bills%20discount%2C%20which%20was%20effectively%20a%20%C2%A3200%20loan%2C%20has%20doubled%20to%20a%20%C2%A3400%20discount%20on%20bills%20for%20all%20households%20from%20October%20that%20will%20not%20need%20to%20be%20paid%20back.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETargeted%20measures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMore%20than%20eight%20million%20of%20the%20lowest%20income%20households%20will%20receive%20a%20%C2%A3650%20one-off%20payment.%20It%20will%20apply%20to%20households%20on%20Universal%20Credit%2C%20Tax%20Credits%2C%20Pension%20Credit%20and%20legacy%20benefits.%0D%3Cbr%3ESeparate%20one-off%20payments%20of%20%C2%A3300%20will%20go%20to%20pensioners%20and%20%C2%A3150%20for%20those%20receiving%20disability%20benefits.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Results

UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets

Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs

Friday fixtures

10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey

7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Director: Peyton Reed

Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas

Three stars

GOODBYE%20JULIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohamed%20Kordofani%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiran%20Riak%2C%20Eiman%20Yousif%2C%20Nazar%20Goma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'

Rating: 3/5

Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro

Writers: Walter Mosley

Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins

Updated: February 28, 2022, 4:08 AM