All the precautionary measures have been approved by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Committee who is working in collaboration with the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

The preventive measures have come in line with the Holy Month of Ramadan in Abu Dhabi in order to ensure public health safety and contain the spread of the virus. The measures that have been approved by the authorities include wearing face masks especially when vulnerable groups. The measures also include avoiding touching eyes, and also cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper when coughing and sneezing.

The other precautionary measures include regular sanitizing practices with an alcohol-based disinfectant or washing your hands through a liquid hand wash for at least 20 seconds. Cleaning and disinfecting items that are more frequently touched than others should also be prioritized.

Keeping the Holy month of Ramadan in mind, the committee has also approved certain measures in the religious practices, which also includes recommending that Covid-19 patients should consult with a doctor before fasting. Other than that traditional practices such as group iftar and Suhur gatherings should also be limited to family members and there should be no exchange of gifts.

Even the Iftar donations are not made offline or through in-person transactions. It should only be done through online platforms. The directives also stated that offering or distributing meals in public areas is prohibited. The meals should not be distributed evenly in front of homes or mosques and restaurants.

Through these measures, congregational prayers will be allowed in mosques for men per precautionary measures which will be done within the duration of Isha and Tarawih prayers. This practice should not exceed more than 30 minutes. The authorities have announced that for Zakat and alms donation also, people can use online platforms.

Other than these services, religious lectures and Holy Quran recital sessions will also be offered online. The committee also approved many precautionary measures which are related to social activities such as the Ramadan greetings and wishes, which must be only conveyed through online platforms.

For the purpose of gathering too, family and friends must gather through virtual medium and even the setting up of Ramadan Iftar tents has been prohibited as a part of the precautionary measures issued due to Ramadan practice. To further ensure that people are avoiding crowded places, authorities have advised the community members to purchase the items needed for Ramadan through online mode.

The directives also reveal that individuals from the most vulnerable groups should also reduce their interactions with others, especially the most vulnerable groups. Even other unnecessary gatherings and outings must be avoided and during the Ramadan night also, gatherings in majlis should be best avoided.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Committee stressed intensified inspection and monitoring, and observation practices which ensure that the community is complying through all the precautionary measures.

"If shopping in person, carefully disinfect the handles of shopping trolleys and do not touch products that you won’t purchase. Use disinfectant wipes to clean items bought after arriving at home, and carefully wash fruits and vegetables," read one of the directives of the committee.

The committee concluded that all of this has to be followed to ensure that coronavirus pandemic stays in control and communities welfare remains at the top priority. 

WAM