Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi issues 39 fines for illegal gatherings since start of Ramadan

Penalties can reach Dh10,000 for organisers and Dh5,000 for each participant

Abu Dhabi Police urged the public to report breaches of Covid-19 rules. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police.

Abu Dhabi Police have issued 39 fines for illegal social gatherings since the beginning of Ramadan.

These were given for breaching Covid-19 rules which ban gatherings of more than 10 people, a police official said on Sunday.

Fines can reach Dh10,000 ($2,722) for organisers and Dh5,000 for each participant.

Police urged the public to follow coronavirus rules.

"Some Ramadan traditions and social norms have become very dangerous during the current pandemic,” a police official said.

“They contradict precautionary measures and regulations to curb the spread of Covid-19.”

Examples include “big family gatherings and iftar banquets that are held for a large number of relatives and friends”, said the official.

Police urge the public to report any breaches by calling 8002626; sending a text message to 2828; or by emailing the police's security service [e-mail].

Reports can also be made on the public prosecution smartphone app.

Typical Ramadan traditions – such as tents at hotels and communal iftars  – are not allowed this year, to curb the spread of Covid-19 as the vaccine programme continues its rollout.

The UAE has one of the world's fastest vaccination drives, with 10 million doses administered in just a few months.

Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures

People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA

Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National

Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National

Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images

An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images

Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National

Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP

A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty

A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images

Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National