UAE authorities on Tuesday announced important guidelines for people attending the country's 50th National Day celebrations. The safety protocols for the celebrations were announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) during the weekly meeting of the UAE government. As per the protocols, only vaccinated people will be allowed to attend the celebrations being held across the country at a maximum capacity of 80 percent.

The weekly meeting is aimed at spreading awareness and information about the latest updates of COVID-19 regionally and globally.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Taher Al Ameri, Official Spokesperson of NCEMA, affirmed that the UAE has adopted several proactive measures based on continuously analysed data and regular follow-ups. These measures enhance the UAE's readiness to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and overcome its challenges and repercussions.

The authority further stressed the significance of celebrating the occasion with utmost safety and precautions. The NCEMA called on the public to adopt the culture of self-responsibility and compliance with health protocols and preventive measures.

In addition, the NCEMA urged the public to strictly comply with precautionary measures, wear facemask and maintain social distancing, essentially amid rising transmission of mutated variants in several countries.

Other protocols include mandatory negative PCR tests conducted within 96 hours for people willing to attend National Day celebrations and gatherings. They must also wear masks when in proximity to other people.

Attendees are required to maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres. Moreover, one family is allowed to sit or stand together without maintaining social distance with each other.

The authority has affirmed that people of all ages are allowed to attend the celebrations. They must have received the COVID-19 vaccination more than 14 days ago, or received a booster shot. They must also show green pass status on their Al Hosn application for attending the events.

"Let us celebrate safely, and embrace self-responsibility to preserve the gains and efforts made for the sake of our health and safety," Dr Al Ameri underlined.