The UAE’s remarkable and world-leading recovery has hit a huge new milestone: Masks outdoors are now finally optional.
The move starts today, February 26, 2022.
An important note, however: Masks will still be required indoors.
And remember, optional means optional–you can still wear a mask outdoors at your own discretion, and there’s no shame in doing so!
There is also one more huge move: Quarantine requirements are no longer required for Covid-19 contacts. In addition, Covid contacts working in all state sectors have to conduct a PCR test daily for five days’ time.
For economic and tourist sectors, physical distancing has been canceled.
Masks and more: The UAE’s full rules update
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), in coordination with its main partners, announced the move, made “in support of the ongoing efforts at the country level to achieve sustainable recovery while maintaining public health and safety against the background of the continuation of various activities and return to normalcy nationwide,” said a statement from the UAE’s state news agency.
NCEMA added that the isolation protocol for infected will continue as previously announced, without any change. The infected, however, will no longer wear wristbands, said the statement.
Things still may be different from emirate to emirate, the statement said.
“At the local level, each emirate has the flexibility to determine the duration of the quarantine period and PCR tests for Covid contacts in their respective sectors and professions, according to the vital sectors in the country, while necessarily maintaining the need to follow precautionary and preventive measures, which include adherence to physical distancing, and mask-wearing at all times,” said the statement.
The announcement also announced the return of the pre-pandemic time intervals between prayer calls and the iqaamah, in addition to the return of Noble Qur’an books to mosques in a limited number on the condition of being sterilised after each prayer. The current one-metre distance between worshipers in mosques and places of worship will also be maintained.
There are also updates for travellers: Those coming to the UAE have to make sure to present an approved QR code- accompanied Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code; unvaccinated travelers have to present an approved negative PCR test result received within 48 hours, or a QR code-accompanied certificate of recovery from a Covid-19 infection obtained within one month from the date of travel. Travelers from the UAE have to follow the requirements of medical examinations and vaccinations in place in their countries of destination.
Abu Dhabi will still follow the Green Pass requirement, or presenting a negative PCR test result of no more than 96 hours to attend all local events, exhibitions, and cultural and social activities.
The UAE also announced the return of all sports activities for all age groups, while obligating the public to follow the Green Pass protocol or present a negative PCR of not more than 96 hrs, in addition to maintaining the mandatory wearing of masks in all outdoor and indoor spaces given the turnout found in such activities.
The pandemic, of course is not over. The UAE also called on all community members to cooperate and adhere to preventive measures to confront the Covid-19, in order to preserve the gains being witnessed today in terms of recovery, crisis management, and comprehensive community health and safety.
“NCEMA stressed that the role of society in the next stage is not less important than the roles and responsibilities of the competent authorities to handle the pandemic, noting that the full return to normalcy requires commitment to preventive measures over the coming period,” the statement concluded.