Ramadan 2021 in UAE: 'health remains a priority over everything else'

Officials pledge 'surprise visits' to hospitality, food outlets and shopping centres to ensure rules are followed

A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE is ready to welcome its second Ramadan during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For the second consecutive year, the holy month will be observed with precautionary measures in place.

So far, 8.5 million vaccine doses have been administered, covering 62.5 per cent of the targeted categories.

The country continues its approach of intensive testing, and nearly 39 million tests have been carried out since the beginning of the outbreak.

Public health is a social responsibility and following all instructions is a national obligation

"The Emirates has followed a pragmatic approach in combating the outbreak, creating a balance between health and economy," Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, said on Tuesday.

“But health remains a priority over everything else.”

Officials said the public should follow nationwide restrictions for Ramadan that were announced earlier.

"We will have inspection campaigns and surprise visits to facilities. Those breaking the rules will be held accountable and facilities may be shut down," Dr Al Dhaheri said.

“Public health is a social responsibility and following all instructions is a national obligation.”

A spokeswoman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments said the authority has been working on a plan to spread religious awareness.

"The focus is on supporting the national efforts to combat the spread of the virus, as well as to support the frontliners and prepare the mosques to welcome worshippers while following the regulations," she said.

Awqaf will follow a number of initiatives:

• Broadcasting religious programmes on TV and radio

• Remote lectures in all private and public facilities

• Awareness programmes through Instagram Live

More than 300 episodes will be broadcast on 12 TV and radio programmes. There will be more than 10 guests in remote lectures for the public to tune in to.

The authority will also celebrate the Zayed Humanitarian Work Day and will teach the Quran through virtual lectures throughout Ramadan.

There will also be sessions to recite and memorise the Quran for people with disabilities.

UAE Ramadan 2021 rules

• Avoid all majlis and public gatherings

• Family gatherings should not be held

• Iftar and suhoor can be shared only by relatives living in the same house

• Avoid exchanging food with other families

• Refrain from any big gatherings related to Ramadan activities

• No collective iftar tents; no meals in front of mosques

• Restaurants cannot distribute meals inside or outside their premises

• Meals can be distributed in workers' accommodation only. Those who are interested in giving iftar meals to workers should contact the manager of the accommodation and a restaurant to arrange the distribution of meal packets

• Taraweeh prayers will be conducted under the precautionary measures already announced

• Mosques should be sanitised before and after prayers

• Do not distribute physical copies of the Quran; people should read the Quran digitally

• In the last 10 days of Ramadan, the situation will be reassessed and restrictions may be eased

• Intensive inspection campaigns will be conducted during Ramadan and action will be taken against offenders

• Elderly people and those with chronic diseases that place them at greater risk should continue to avoid public places

• Masks must be worn all times outside the home

UAE vaccination programme – in pictures

UAE residents of all ages are eligible for the Sinopharm shot, which is available across the seven emirates. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

People register for the vaccine at Seha's cruise ship terminal vaccine centre

Both the government and employers have urged the public to get vaccinated, as the country faces record daily numbers of new cases

An Abu Dhabi resident waits to receive her first shot at the Seha vaccination centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal.

Sisters Aya and Jana register for the vaccine shot

Suzana and husband Novica Ristovic get vaccinated pictured with the advice brochures given to all volunteers

Shaikha Al Dheiri waits to be called in for the first of two shots that are necessary to provide protection against the virus

The Seha Vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal can serve up to 3,000 people per day. Victor Besa / The National

The vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

A medic holds up a package containing the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine

Emirati Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets a basic blood oxygen check before his vaccination

Two shots are required 21 days apart to ensure people have sufficient antibodies to protect them

A man is inoculated at Seha Vaccination Centre in the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal

Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Abu Dhabi's public hospital operator Seha, oversees the vaccination drive

The Seha Vaccination Centre at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal can serve up to 3,000 people per day