The Green Pass on Al Hosn app is not required to access public facilities and sites
After nearly two and a half years of strict Covid-19 rules and precautionary measures, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday the lifting of all the restrictions it has put in place to keep the country safe and secure. its residents during the pandemic.
The rules on wearing a mask have been further relaxed. Health officials have announced that masks will be optional in all open and closed facilities, including places of worship and mosques. However, it will be mandatory to wear masks in health facilities and centers for determined people. Prayer on personal mats will be optional in mosques and places of prayer.
A government spokesperson announced in a virtual briefing the second phase of the easing of restrictions. The official noted that the second phase of relaxations had been approved after carefully studying the epidemiological situation in the country while monitoring occupancy rates in hospitals and intensive care units for Covid-19 infected cases, which have steadily dropping below 300 now.
“We announce the lifting of all restrictions and precautionary measures related to Covid-19. Wearing a mask will be optional in all open and closed facilities, including places of worship and mosques, except for health facilities and centers for determined people, where it will be mandatory,” the official said.
The new relaxations will be activated at 6 a.m. on Monday, November 7.
The Al Hosn application will now be limited to proof of vaccination and PCR test results inside and outside the country upon request. The Green Pass on the Al Hosn app will therefore not be required to enter public facilities and sites.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced that the five-day isolation period for positive cases will remain in place and Covid-19 PCR testing and healthcare facilities will continue to function.
Organizing bodies for sporting events and activities at the national and local levels may request screenings or vaccination certificates, depending on the type or size of the activity and its effectiveness.
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With strict measures to fight the pandemic, the official said, the UAE “has taken a high position and become an outstanding global model, as it was one of the first countries to successfully master the challenges with flexibility, transparency and professionalism”.
Announcing a set of measures for the health sector, the official said that “Covid-19 will be included in the ‘National Active Surveillance Program for Influenza and Acute Respiratory Diseases’. Scientific research and genetic studies will be also carried out on bacterial and viral diseases, as well as vigilant surveillance and monitoring to improve and develop the response capacities of health authorities to any future emergency event.
The UAE government has made tireless efforts over the past period to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in heightened awareness on how to deal with epidemics and diseases. The health sector, in coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities, has stepped up its efforts to address the health crisis, based on the belief that the health of society is a top priority for wise leaders.
“We affirm that the health sector will continue to monitor the situation and implement active surveillance in all regions of the country.”
In the first phase of the relaxation of Covid-19 mandates on September 28, authorities had relaxed Covid-19 rules, making the wearing of masks optional in most public places except hospitals and medical facilities, places of worship, on public transport and for food service providers.