COVID-19 rules in Dubai: Face masks are no longer mandatory

Face masks are only required in medical facilities, mosques and on public transport. 

The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) has announced new Covid-19 rules in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

As NCEMA held a special UAE Covid-19 briefing to update the country on its latest response to the virus, it declared that face masks are no longer mandatory, in addition to changes to the Al Hosn green pass.

NCEMA issued a statement on Twitter: “The state’s situation is stable, with a daily number of cases with a decrease, and almost zero deaths recorded for nearly three months.” Despite this, the authority reminded citizens that the virus is still present. 

Wearing face masks in Dubai

NCEMA declared that wearing masks is no longer required in public. NCEMA reminded the public that wearing masks is mandatory in medical facilities, mosques and on public transportation. Masks are required in mosques and places of worship. Plus, all food service providers must continue to wear masks. 

NCEMA reiterated that the rules are in place to preserve the health of vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens, people of determination and those with chronic diseases. Plus, wearing a mask is optional in other open and closed facilities and places. 

In regards to travel, individual airlines will now be able to decide if they want to introduce mandatory mask-wearing on board. However, the entry requirements into Dubai have not changed, and the UAE has lifted requirements to leave the country. 

Al Hosn green pass 

The Al Hosn green pass will continue to play a key role in determining an individual’s Covid-19 status. NCEMA added: “In regards to the green traffic system, it has been updated with the obligation to conduct a periodic examination every month for those vaccinated and exempt from vaccination requirements, and the obligation to conduct a periodic examination every seven days for those who are not vaccinated.

“The green traffic system is still a mandatory condition for employees and visitors to enter the workplaces of the federal authorities, in addition to linking the green traffic system to workers in the tourism and economic sector.”

For those who need to maintain a green pass on the Al Hosn app, a PCR test will be required. Vaccinated individuals would need to undergo a test every 30 days, rather than every 14 days. Unvaccinated individuals would need to undergo one every seven days. 

The new Covid-19 rules in Dubai come into place on Wednesday 29 September.

GO: Visit www.ncema.gov.ae for more information.