UAE's updated list of fines for Covid-19 rule breakers

People can be fined Dh3,000 for not adhering to social distancing or failing to wear a face mask properly

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The government has issued an updated list for fines of up to Dh50,000 for failing to comply with Covid-19 safety regulations.

The list, issued by state news-agency Wam, was re-released following the closure of an overcrowded restaurant in Satwa, a cafe in Karama and an Abu Dhabi wedding at a private home.

The penalties and regulations are little changed from an earlier list published by the government in May.

The Attorney General has set the list of fines, which apply federally. Authorities of individual emirates can issue additional measures.

A surge in Covid-19 cases in early September led to the UAE hitting a high on Saturday with a record 1,007 new cases in a single day.

The authorities issued a warning that they are increasing inspections.

Dr Al Hosani on UAE's spike in new Covid-19 cases

Repeat offenders will be referred to the Crisis and Emergency Prosecution and will be subject to a criminal trial.

Full list of updated fines:

Dh1,000

• for retaking a Covid-19 test within two weeks without a valid reason
• for misuse of chemicals for cleaning or pest control
• for displaying, transferring, or storing food, health, veterinary, cosmetic or pesticide products incorrectly
• for breaking health and hygiene standards for employees in the workplace or at shared residence spaces

Dh2,000

• for breaching instructions to preserve health and to prevent the spread of communicable diseases

Dh3,000

• for not adhering to social distancing
• for not wearing a face mask at an indoor public place, on public transport, in a vehicle with three or more people or while walking or exercising in busy areas
• for breaching preventive measures while exercising or taking part in sports or recreational activities in public or at hotel pools or beaches
• for not disposing of temporary structures, clothes, luggage or other items that may be contaminated and cannot be disinfected
• for visiting a healthcare facility unnecessarily
• for violating curfew timings by the relevant authorities, except for employees of vital sectors
• for the owner of a facility that fails to take appropriate public health measures in markets
• for the driver of a vehicle with more than two unrelated people (up to second-degree relatives)

Dh5,000

• for not wearing a mask at a workplace. The employee will be fined Dh500 and the person in charge will be charged Dh5,000
• for transporting goods in a vehicle unauthorised for that purpose. The vehicle will be impounded for a month
• for the management of shopping centres, restaurants, pools or similar establishments that allow overcrowding
• for a company management that fails to sanitise public and private transport vehicles, including taxis
• for a company management that fails to properly clean and sterilise equipment used in food production
• for refusing a medical test upon the order of authorities
• for violating measures issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevent for persons arriving from countries affected by communicable disease
• for failing to adhere to precautionary measures when transferring workers
• for violating the capacity restrictions on transport
• to the owner of a company where workers do not wear gloves or committing to a two-metre distance when leaving a vehicle. The worker will be charged Dh500
• to health care facilities failing to comply with security information standards

Dh10,000

• for organising public or private gathering. Participants to be fined an additional Dh5,000 each
• for refusing to install or register a smart tracking application, failing to carry the electronic tracking device for home quarantine cases, and for losing or destroying the device. The offender will also bear the cost of damages to the device
• for failing to notify authorities of a damaged or lost smart device within 24-hours
• for non-compliance with the temporary suspension of tourist cruises
• to the owner of a company and the driver of a private vehicle providing unauthorised transport of workers between emirates. The vehicle will be impounded for one month
• to the crew of shelter ships and cruise ships, including the captain and shipping agent, who fail take precautionary measures

Dh20,000

• for hacking the systems of these applications or smart devices, damaging, altering or illegally obtaining information from them. The offender will also bear the cost of damages
• for opening a entity without a thermal scanners
• for medical labs failing to immediately report new data to authorities
• for sharing confidential patient information, or damaging the information

Dh30,000

• for holding private classes, with an additional Dh20,000 fine for host

Dh50,000

• for refusing mandatory hospitalisation, prescribed treatment, monitoring and re-examinations as requested by authorities. Officers may refer public authorities to enforce this decision
• for not adhering to mandated home quarantine or quarantine at a facility as instructed by authorities
• for failure to comply with quarantine instructions in a private quarantine facility
• for educational institutions, cinemas, sports facilities, amusement parks, commercial centres, open air markets, parks, cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, or beaches or pools, or their equivalent who do not adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures set by relevant authorities in each emirate. The person in charge will be fined an additional Dh5,000

The UAE on Saturday reported 1,007 new cases of coronavirus.

The daily number is the highest recorded since the pandemic broke out and officials in recent days have again warned that the rise in cases is down to the lax attitude of individuals and institutions who failed to abide by regulations.

The UAE has conducted 8 million Covid-19 tests since the beginning of the pandemic - one of the highest in the world - and has been ramping up its testing efforts across the country.

This article has been updated to show that only two unrelated passengers are allowed in a vehicle