Marking the occasion of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) issued COVID-19 safety rules for the protection of all community members. On November 23, the NCEMA noted that this year’s celebration will be held across the country at an 80 percent capacity. The NCEMA has also called on the public to show the highest sense of responsibility by complying with the COVID-19 safety measures.

Taking to Twitter, the NCEMA underlined that new waves of COVID-19 have been discovered in a number of countries. The authority stressed non-adherence to precautionary measures is one of the reasons behind the increase in COVID-19 transmission. In this regard, the NCEMA has called on relevant authorities to increase their vaccination rates to enhance the fight against COVID-19.

Some of the precautionary measures issued by the NCEMA include:

· All age groups attending the events must be fully-vaccinated and receive their booster shot as per the protocols issued by relevant authorities. They must show Green Pass on the Al Hosn app in order to be allowed to attend the events.

· A negative PCR test result with the test was conducted within 96 hours of attending the event.

· Temperature checks will be carried out for all attendees at the entry of the event.

· Face masks are mandatory and must be worn by all attendees at all times in close and crowded areas.

· Social distancing must be followed by adhering to 1.5-metre distance between all attendees. Exception for social distancing while sitting and standing is made for people from the same family.

· People must greet each other from a distance and avoid shaking hands or exchanging hugs.

· Regular sanitisation in public areas must be ensured along with the provision of sanitisation tools at entries and exists of restrooms.

· People are urged to refrain from overcrowding and check their symptoms. In case of any symptoms, individuals must refrain from attending the celebrations.

In view of the global spread of new variants of COVID-19, the authority has encouraged eligible people to take the booster shot to enhance their immunity against the virus. 

The NCEMA has called on the authorities organising the event to enhance monitoring compliance with the safety protocols and ensure there is no overcrowding.