UPDATED: Authorities in the UAE have begun to penalize individuals found flouting the new rules that the country has implemented as preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a photo submitted to The Filipino Times, authorities fined a person Dh1000 for ‘standing or sitting in a way that impedes the movement of other people’ – as a person was found to be violating rules on social distancing at Sanaiya, Al Safrah area at Al Ain.
UAE Attorney General Counselor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi recently issued resolution No. (38) for the year 2020 following the cabinet decision No. 17 of 2020 on March 27 regarding the applicable fines for violating rules on the country’s fight against spreading communicable diseases such as COVID-19, with immediate implementation, as per a report from Khaleej Times.
The resolution also states that those found violating the rules for the second time around will be fined double the amount. Those who violate the same rule for the third time will face federal public prosecution.
List of violations and applicable fines:
Dh 500:
– People visiting public places that are currently closed
Dh 1,000:
– People not maintaining social distancing while walking.
– Not wearing medical masks indoors by individuals suffering from chronic diseases, and those showing cold and flu symptoms
– Unnecessary visits to hospitals and other health facilities.
– Allowing more than 3 persons in car.
Dh 2,000:
– Violating precautionary measures issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention by passengers coming to the UAE from countries infected by a communicable disease.
Dh 3,000:
– Failing to take proper health measures regarding regulation of markets, roads, and other public places exempted from temporally closure.
– Refusing an order to dispose of any stuff, clothes, luggage or others proved to be contaminated or might be contaminated by any pathogen if they can’t be disinfected by established procedures.
– Violating the executive regulations of the Law on Communicable Diseases when burying or transporting a dead body infected with a communicable disease.
– Leaving home with no important work or a genuine reason.
Dh 5,000:
– Attending parties, social gatherings and other public celebrations.
– Failure to do a medical test when requested.
– For public transportation drivers: Failure to follow UAE’s standard hygienic and sterilization procedures.
– Fine for executive in charge of managing a company or a facility that violates the sterilization measures of public or private means of transportation.
Dh 10,000:
– Organizing parties, social gatherings, and public celebrations.
– Failing to take precautionary measures for the crew of shelter ships.
Dh 50,000:
– Violating government instructions for those required to do home quarantine
– Patients who refuse mandatory hospitalization; failure to take prescribed medicine despite constant advise.
– Fine and administrative closure for violating the closure instructions of educational institutions, cinemas, gyms, sports clubs, malls, outdoor markets, parks, cafés, shopping centers and restaurants and others or for receiving customers.
