DUBAI: All places of worship for non-Muslims in Abu Dhabi will be opened with a maximum operating capacity of 30 percent, the Department of Community Development (DCD) announced, as reported by WAM.
The move comes as the city gradually returns to normal life before the coronavirus pandemic forced the world into strict lockdowns.
All health precautionary measures will be imposed on worshippers and workers to ensure their safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Children and elderly worshipers who have no chronic diseases will also be allowed to enter places of worship, Sultan Al-Mutawa Al-Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Sport at DCD said.
“A manual has been provided to all places of worship for the gradual return to places of worship, which includes an explanatory guide to the procedures that must be followed towards the worshipers and workers,” he added.
But activities and events are still prohibited, according to Al-Dhaheri, while encouraging church authorities to explore the use of digital platforms.
This development comes as the COVID-19 vaccine human trial continues in the UAE capital.
Authorities said vaccinated volunteers have reached 31,000 from more than 120 nationalities in only weeks on Sunday.
The trials are being managed by Abu-Dhabi based G42 Healthcare in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.
Thousands of the volunteers have already received their second shot of the vaccine and will continue to be monitored.
The Abu Dhabi health department said they are closing registrations for the trial as they have already fulfilled the required number of volunteers.
