Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Police have made an announcement in collaboration that people with certain medical conditions can now apply for permits regarding exemptions from wearing a face mask.

DHA’s General Medical Committee Office will review the applications, which must mandatorily include a medical report to confirm the applicant’s medical problems and that it can be aggravated by masks. Applications can be submitted through Dubai Police’s website www.dxbpermit.gov.ae. Apart from medical reports, applications must also include the applicant’s Emirates ID.

The Committee will evaluate the request and submitted medical documents based on specific criteria and conditions. It will take maximum five days for the applications to be processed. The exemption validity will depend on the applicant’s health condition.

Categories of people eligible for exemption from wearing a face mask include:

• Fungal dermatitis, especially if accompanied with severe symptoms in the face like bleeding, itching and scaly skin.
• Allergy to any component of a mask - allergic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, contact urticaria
• Severe herpes simplex infection that affects the mouth, nose or face
• Acute and uncontrolled chronic sinusitis
• Uncontrolled asthma
• People of Determination who have mental and psychological conditions

The DHA has noted that the decision to provide exemptions is part of its aim to ensure safety and well-being of the people of the Emirate.  Though wearing masks is not mandatory for exempted people, the Authority has encouraged them to wear mask in public places as far as possible to minimize the risk of infection for themselves as well as others.

WAM