DUBAI: The UAE extended on Saturday to April 5 a de-facto nightly curfew to sanitize public places, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.
The plan to sanitize public places is part of efforts to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. It is being implemented between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day.
It began on March 26 and was originally meant to end on the morning of March 29.
“We are all hoping that everybody, citizens, residents and visitors, will stay at home during this period,” Farida Al-Hosani, a Health Ministry spokeswoman, told a media conference broadcast on local TV channels.
The UAE has reported two deaths from the pandemic and 468 confirmed infections.
According to new regulations, anyone found violating preventive measures could be fined up to $13,600.
The new legislation outlines penalties, starting from $136, for violating rules set out by several government agencies including the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Interior, state news agency WAM reported this week.
Some of the punishable offenses include not complying with home quarantine instructions, refusing mandatory hospitalization, visiting closed public spaces, as well as unnecessary travel, according to a Dubai-based English daily.
FASTFACTS
• Anyone found violating preventive measures could be fined up to $13,600.
• The plan to sanitize public places is part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
The Interior Ministry has been tasked to monitor the public during the pandemic, and to ensure people are following precautionary measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Permits
Abu Dhabi has activated a website where residents can send requests to leave their homes for essential purposes, during the sanitization program imposed by the UAE, a local daily reported on Saturday.
People working in sectors that include medical and pharmaceutical, airport and immigration, and petrol stations, will be permitted to leave their homes and are not required to submit requests. However, they are required to carry their Emirates and work identification documents for verification.
