The UAE achieved its target of vaccinating half the country's population two weeks before its target date, the health minister said on Tuesday. Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said at the weekly Covid-19 briefing that 52.46 per cent of the UAE’s population had been immunised. This includes 70.21 per cent of elderly people and those in the vulnerable category. Mr Al Owais, who is also Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said the UAE had delivered about seven million vaccines through 205 centres across the country. The Emirates remains on track to meet its objective to immunise 100 per cent of its eligible population this year, he said. Officials also announced nationwide restrictions for Ramadan, which begins on April 13 or 14. <strong>UAE Ramadan 2021 Covid-19 rules and regulations</strong> • 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 mosque or anywhere else • Restaurants cannot distribute meals inside or outside their premises • Meals can be distributed in labour 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 • Tarawih 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
