Prison sentence and Dh50,000 fine for Covid-19 patients who do not report to authorities

Close contacts of infected people should also inform the Ministry of Health and Prevention

Families walk in Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi private school staff wait to be vaccinated against Covid-19 as part of a drive organised by Adek. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge

A man receives a dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 at St Paul’s Church in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A coronavirus vaccine shipment is unloaded from an Emirates aircraft at Dubai International Airport on February 1. The airline is part of the Vaccine Logistics Alliance, which also includes logistics giant DP World. AFP

A panel indicates the way to a Covid-19 vaccination centre set up at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A woman waits for her turn at a vaccination centre at Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A man is registered before receiving a dose of vaccine at a centre in Dubai International Financial Centre. AFP

A health worker checks a man's temperature before he receives a dose of vaccine. AFP

A commuter wears a face mask while travelling on the Dubai Metro. AP

Covid-19 patients who fail to report their infection to the Ministry of Health and Prevention or other health authorities will face a prison sentence and a fine of between Dh10,000 and Dh50,000.

Close contacts of those infected must also report to health authorities, the Federal Public Prosecution said on its social media accounts on Wednesday.

This will help patients to receive the right medical care and guidance to help stem the spread of the infection.

"If a person is infected with one of the [communicable] diseases mentioned, the patient and his close contacts should go to the ministry or other health authorities to receive medical treatment, advice and awareness of the risks of infection and the ways of transmitting the infection," Federal Public Prosecution tweeted.

“The infected person must also adhere to the preventive measures and instructions to prevent infecting others."

The UAE reported 3,452 Covid-19 infections on Wednesday while 14 patients died.

A further 3,570 patients overcame the virus in the previous 24 hours.

The latest figures took the country's case tally to 358,583, of which 343,935 have recovered.

Active cases fell to 13,593 as recoveries surpassed new infections for the seventh day running.

The death toll for the Emirates is now 1,055.

Individuals suffering from Covid-19 can contact the Ministry of Health & Prevention on 800 11111.