UAE Covid-19 restrictions ease but face mask rules to stay in place

Public urged to maintain safety measures amid encouraging fall in infection rates

Visitors take photos from At The Top, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

Staff of Hafiz Mustafa in facemasks at their shop in The Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National

Babki sanitises the railing at the Ice Rink in The Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National

Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National

Skating shoes are sanitised at the Ice Rink in Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National

A staff with the parrots at Dubai Mall’s Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National

A staff holds a thermometer at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National

Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National

A woman skates at Dubai Mall’s Ice Rink. Reem Mohammed /The National

Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National

General view the safety rules at Times Square Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Green planet biologist Sara Stevens with an Umbrella Cockatoo at The Green Planet. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Green planet biologist Peter Njoroge holds a Blue tongued skink. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Green Planet has opened with Covid-19 measures in place. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A person wearing protective face mask during the hot and humid weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai’s skyline seen from At The Top, Burj Khalifa. Reem Mohammed / The National

The UAE public was hailed as the "cornerstone" of the UAE's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic as a renewed plea was made for people to continue wearing face masks.

Authorities set out plans to ease some Covid-19 restrictions on Wednesday amid an encouraging drop in infection rates.

But people were told it was their duty to abide by key safety measures to help steer the country back to normality.

Capacity limits at shopping centres and other public places will be gradually lifted in the coming days, said Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.

At a coronavirus briefing he said the directives related to "various economic, tourist and recreational facilities, shopping centres and means of transport".

Dr Al Dhaheri said individual emirates would to allowed to set capacity limits for weddings and funerals.

The UAE's daily Covid-19 figures have declined markedly in recent weeks – from an 11-month high of 3,116 infections on January 15 to 1,538 on Wednesday.

But Dr Farida Al Hosani, a government health spokeswoman, said it was essential to stay vigilant in the face of the continued threat posed by the virus.

"We urge community members to adhere to the precautionary measures by wearing face masks, avoiding overcrowded places and constantly sanitising," she said.

"The health of our community is a priority and is everyone’s responsibility."

She spoke of the positive effects of the country's vaccination drive in helping to drive down infections.

Nearly 95 per cent of the public have received two vaccine doses, while a nationwide booster push is well under way.

The health of our community is a priority and is everyone’s responsibility

Dr Farida Al Hosani,
government health spokeswoman

Dr Al Hosani cautioned against complacency, however.

"The vaccine is not a substitute for adhering to relevant precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks, respecting social distancing and sanitising, among other protocols," she said.

"The community’s awareness is the cornerstone of addressing the pandemic’s repercussions, so we highlight its importance and the pivotal role of community members in safeguarding the country’s achievements."

Children vaccinated in Dubai - in pictures:

Len Apie, from the Philippines, brought her children Lewis, 9, and Clark, 6, to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Dubai. All photos: Shuchita Gautam

There is a separate wing for children at the Oud Metha vaccination centre.

The centre is decorated with balloons and cartoon cutouts.

A child gets her face painted after receiving the vaccine.

Parents said the experience was smooth on the first day and they were in and out in 10 to 15 minutes.