The UAE government has allowed mosques and places of worship across the country to accommodate more people in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. The UAE government announced the new guidelines during a weekly media briefing on Wednesday. 

Addressing the briefing, Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), stated that mosques are also allowed to reduce the physical distancing requirements between worshippers to 1.5 metres from 2 metres previously. Additionally, the capacity of funerals and mourning services is increased to up to 50 people from 25, given that the death was not COVID-19 related.

Furthermore, he underlined a study conducted by the Ministry of Education that found that most parents are willing to send their children for in-person learning in schools during the new academic year. According to the study, at least 73 percent of parents in the UAE expressed their support to send their children for in-person classes in schools, while 27 percent preferred to continue distance learning.

At the same time, there was a three-fold increase in face-to-face learning during the new academic year. 

"This year, we had an increase in the number of face-to-face learning where the percentage has reached more than 37 per cent, in comparison with last year where it was only at 11 per cent," Dr Al Dhaheri noted.

The UAE authorities expect these percentages to increase in the coming period, with more students getting vaccinated against COVID-19. So far, the UAE health sector has vaccinated 36 percent of students, while the inoculation rate among teaching and support staff has reached 89.5 percent. 

"This is considered a positive indicator that shows to what extent there is willingness among people to take the vaccine, and it increases the safety in our educational environment," Dr Al Dhaheri pointed out.

The UAE authorities are also working on offering free testing services in private and public schools for all vaccinated pupils, teaching and staff members every 30 days. In recent weeks, every emirate has implemented its own rules in accordance with local developments of COVID-19.

The National