Coronavirus: Dubai approves private gatherings of up to 30 people for New Year's Eve celebrations

Authorities set out Covid-19 safety measures on Saturday, including Dh50,000 fines for party hosts who breach rules

Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa for the New Year 2020 celebration at Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa. EPA

Burj Khalifa is prepared for the fireworks of New Year 2020 celebrations. EPA

People have their photos taken at the Tim Hortons café outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National

People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks of New Year's eve. EPA

Sky divers with special lights flies over Burj Khalifa. EPA

Light decoration around Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National

Bruno Mars kept it fun and slick at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Flash Entertainment

NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

DJ Aboud Rogeh rocks the house down at the NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People at the beach. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Street entertainers at the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People arrive at the beach in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

Private family and social gatherings of up to 30 people will be permitted in Dubai on New Year's Eve as part of safety measures set out by authorities.

Party hosts who exceed the capped number of guests will face fines of Dh50,000, while guests will be hit with fines of Dh15,000 each.

The guidelines were laid out after a meeting of Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management on Saturday headed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed.

The ruling covers private events held at homes and in tents.

Guests are required to wear face masks at all times.

Elderly people and those with chronic conditions should be advised not to attend these gatherings.

Any person experiencing symptoms such as coughing or fever must refrain from attending.

Gatherings must be in line with social distancing practices and comply with a rule of one person per four square metres of venue space.

Officials will conduct inspections to ensure precautionary measures are being followed.

The committee stated the regulations were part of efforts to protect the safety of the public during the pandemic.

In line with this strategy, at least 50,000 people will be able to watch Dubai's traditional New Year's Eve festivities from Burj Khalifa on Zoom.

Emaar, which developed the world's tallest building, and the video conferencing company, announced the event on Tuesday.

To access the live event on Zoom, people can register here.

For those keen to watch the spectacular firework and laser show in person, strict measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be in place at the public viewing area on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, such as thermal scanning, social distancing, contactless payments and disinfection.

Restaurants and hotels along the boulevard, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Opera and The Dubai Mall Promenade are available for dining reservations.