In a major step to control the spread of COVID-19 transmission, the Abu Dhabi police have issued a warning to citizens against dumping of used face masks and gloves on roads, streets, and public facilities. According to a report by the UAE news agency WAM, it has been stated that violators caught dumping waste on roads would be fined AED1,000 and deducted six traffic points by the police.

Releasing a statement in the matter, the Abu Dhabi Police have noted that dumping of used masks and gloves can pose severe health and environmental risks threatening the community as a whole amid the global health pandemic. The police shared the details of the warning against such hazardous dumping acts on their official Twitter handled as well for increased reach. 

Notably, Abu Dhabi police have issued the warning in lines with the fines imposed by the police in the Ajman Emirates on June 1 against throwing of used face masks and gloves on the road. The Ajman Police have also warned of Dh1,000 and six black points to motorists or other road users if they are caught throwing used face masks on the roads. The new fines have come into effect in line with the UAE federal traffic law.

Speaking over the development, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Mubark Al Ghafli, head of the police health and safety committee, said that throwing of masks (if contaminated) could spread the virus. He suggested that the correct way to discard a mask was to place it in a plastic bag and then throw it in a dustbin.

Earlier, the Abu Dhabi Police launched a social consulting service aiming to connect with all groups of society and to provide them with e-consulting for safe and positive outputs in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

As of June 8, the United Arab Emirates has reported over 38,000 Coronavirus infected cases, out of whom over 21,000 have recovered from the disease.

WAM