Coronavirus: receive visitors and leave the house for one outdoor activity in Dubai during Ramadan

The official decision on when restrictions would be eased is yet to be made

Empty roads in Dubai Marina in mid-April. 24 hour restrictions on leaving home which were in place since March were eased for Ramadan, allowing people to leave home from 6am to 10pm. Pawan Singh / The National

A pedestrian wearing a mask crosses the main street on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A police barrier stands in front of Atlantis Hotel, one of the largest hotels in the country. Pawan Singh / The National

The tunnel underneath the palm is usually packed with traffic on a Friday. Pawan Singh / The National

A solitary shopper walks past the yachts quay at Dubai Marina. Pawan Singh / The National

A resident looks out from his apartment building in Dubai Marina. Pawan Singh / The National

A security guard takes the body temperature of a delivery driver in the Al Furjan suburb. Pawan Singh / The National

Talabat delivery drivers, who have permission to operate at all times of day, collect their orders in Dubai Marina. Pawan Singh / The National

A sign in Fujairah urges people to 'stay home' as people do their shopping. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Dubai Police officer stops the vehicles and checks for permit to leave home near Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah. Pawan Singh / The National

A man has his body temperature reading taken upon arriving at the police station of Naif in Dubai. AFP

The closed open air gym at Skydive Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Dibba Al Hisn’s seafood market. Reem Mohammed / The National

A sign warns people to stay home along the Dubai Marina. Antonie Robertson / The National

Latest: Dubai lifts all permit restrictions to allow shopping and exercise

Dubai residents would be allowed to receive family members during Ramadan and leave home for “one outdoor activity” under new guidelines drawn up by the government.

The new advice was issued by Dubai authorities, which set out a phased plan to restart various areas of the economy.

Malls and tourist destinations were closed across the country last month to stop the spread of Covid-19. Restrictions on movement in Dubai and 'stay-home' orders across the Emirates have been in place.

The official decision on when restrictions may ease has not yet been made.

Under the plans to ease the restrictions, people should still only leave their house for necessities during the holy month.

But “family visitation and one outdoor activity [per day] can be performed as per the set parameters”.

Previously, in Dubai, any outdoor activity was not allowed and permits were required for trips to the supermarket, pharmacy or hospital.

The plans to ease restrictions outline that anyone who ventures outside the home should avoid touching any surfaces and immediately disinfect hands if they did so.

They should also not touch their face until their hands are properly washed with soap and water.

Elderly and high-risk people with chronic diseases should stay home and avoid public places altogether.

Limited social gatherings would be allowed during Ramadan, provided they did not exceed 10 people.

However, social distancing guidelines should be followed and “physical contact such as handshaking, hugging, etc would not be permitted.

The government said it was “highly advised that gatherings are few and are restricted to extended family members or very close friends" during iftar and suhoor.

Gathering for prayers with people outside the household would not be allowed.