Family gatherings and house parties are contributing to rise in Covid-19 cases, Dubai Police chief says

Lt Gen Abdullah Al Marri reports instances where 80 people gathered at house parties

People get tested for coronavirus at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities have called upon citizens and residents to join with the efforts of health care professionals. Health workers, such as these Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, have led the way. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at the emergency ward in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has paid tribute to the frontline workers who helped to curb Covid-19. Reem Mohammed / The National

Healthcare workers at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City receive a patient outside the emergency department. Reem Mohammed / The National

A consultant physician at the emergency department in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, receives a Covid-19 patient. Reem Mohammed / The National

People get the laser blood test tests at the Mina Rashid screening centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A nurse sanitises her hands after conducting a swab test at one of the UAE's screening drive-through centres in Mina Rashid, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A health worker taking the Covid-19 nasal swab test at a testing station in thet Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Nurse Renu Venugopal, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ruth Deva Kiruba says being pregnant during a pandemic was surreal and sometimes lonely. Chris Whiteoak / The National

EMT nurse Jephy Antony, who contracted Covid-19, recovered and continued to treat patients at the NMC Royal Hospital, DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor gets tested at the Ras Al Khaimah Covid-19 drive-through testing centre. Reem Mohammed / The National

Nurse Nikhil Rajendran inside the fever clinic at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Shane Simeon Galang from Philippines, Mervat Aslan Mhgoub Mohamed from Egypt and Sowmya Kotian from India, who are nurses at the Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

House parties and family gatherings have contributed to the surge in Covid-19 cases this month, the chief of Dubai Police has said.

Lt Gen Abdullah Al Marri said too many people have defied rules designed to prevent the spread of the virus.

He said there were recent instances when 80 people were found to have gathered at house parties.

“There are parties in which the number is limited to 20 or 40 people but we find 80. This is unacceptable behaviour,” Lt Gen Al Marri said.

He said it was difficult to monitor people inside their homes. The officer urged citizens and residents to be more responsible and report those who flout rules.

“Neglecting precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus during private family gatherings, family parties and weddings is one of the reasons for the recent increase in the number of infected people,” Lt Gen Al Marri said.

People attending gatherings should ensure that their host has all required safety measures in place and limits the number of guests, he said.

Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri said officers were frustrated by residents who continue to blatantly shun rules. Pawan Singh / The National

He called on community members to take Covid-19 vaccines to limit the spread of the virus.

“The country has spared no effort. We can see testing centres everywhere; there are about 50 centres in Dubai,” he said.

“People can also get vaccinated, with two types of vaccines currently available in Dubai and a third approved by the country for emergency cases. It’s every individual’s responsibility.

“We must continue with this solidarity to control the pandemic and limit the numbers that have been increasing recently.”

On Friday, Dubai reduced the number of people allowed to sit together at the same table in restaurants from 10 to seven, and to four in cafes.

Attendance at social events, including weddings and private parties, was also further limited.

Only first-degree relatives – a person’s parents, siblings and children – will be allowed, and no more than 10 people can attend.

The ruling, which starts from January 27, applies to events in hotels, as well as gatherings in homes, and comes after a high number of incidents of non-compliance with current precautionary and preventive measures.

The UAE announced a record number of Covid-19 cases for the 13th day running on Sunday, as daily testing and recovery rates also hit new highs.

Officials confirmed 3,579 new infections, raising the country's total to 277,955.

A further 4,166 patients were given the all-clear, as the recovery tally climbed to 251,484.

Nine people died, bringing the death toll in the Emirates to 792.