UAE capital announces new COVID-19 restrictions at social events

This undated photo shows a safety steward scanning people with a smartphone enabled with Covid-19 detection software, developed by EDE Research Institute, at the entrance of a mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo courtesy: Online)

• Abu Dhabi permits up to 50 people at indoor events 
• Attendees at outdoor events should not exceed 150 

RIYADH: Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced it was updating its COVID-19 guidelines for holding indoor and outdoor social events from December 27 to reduce the number of daily infections, the emirate’s media office said on Sunday.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said “updates include reducing operating capacity of social events such as weddings, funerals and family gatherings, to a maximum of 60 percent” capacity.
Up to 50 people are permitted at indoor events, and attendees at outdoor events and open-air activities should not exceed 150, while social events at home should not host more than 30 people.
“Entry to social events requires adherence to existing precautionary measures, including showing green pass on Alhosn app, presenting a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours, and wearing masks while observing physical distancing protocol,” the new guidelines said.
The committee said it would increase inspection and monitoring tours to ensure all preventive and precautionary measures were being implemented.
It urged those eligible to receive a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines and maintain green status on Alhosn app through regular PCR testing.