The UAE has issued a clarification on false social media posts claiming that shopping malls in the country were going to be shut down for two weeks. Taking to Twitter, the UAE's National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) released a statement denying the rumours of closure of shopping malls and commercial centres. In the statement, the NCEMA further urged the public to rely on authentic sources for their news and information about the developments related to COVID-19 response in the country.

"The NCEMA denies the false information circulated on social media sites regarding the closing of shopping malls and commercial centres in the country for a renewable period of two weeks and obliged restaurants to provide delivery services only," the statement read.

The authorities further asserted that people must ensure the authenticity of the information before spreading it around, adding that legal actions and fines will be applied to those will circulate unverified information.

“The authority stressed the importance of obtaining news from official authorities and called on all members of the public to ensure the authenticity of the information, before circulation. Failure to do so exposes individuals to legal repercussions and fines will be applied to anyone who spreads rumours and incorrect information,” it added.

https://twitter.com/NCEMAUAE/status/1279862489962987520

Combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the UAE administration is working on gradual reopening of its economic activities across various regions, along with precautionary and preventive measures for the safety and security of the people. Recently, the UAE announced the reopening of the mosques and other places of worship across the country with a reduced capacity of 30 per cent people at a time.

The UAE has reported around 51,500 infected cases since the pandemic outbreak in the country, out of whom more than 40,000 patients have recovered from the disease.