Festivals and weddings to observe safety precautions

Our Correspondent

With the impending festival season, authorities in Dubai have urged residents to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Halloween on October 31 and Diwali on November 14 are festivals that will be widely celebrated by residents.

Officials of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management have instructed residents to follow precautionary measures in place. Those celebrating should avoid crowded places, maintain social distancing and wear face masks. Event organisers have been asked to adhere to the rules to avoid penalties.

Elderly and people with reduced immunity and lifestyle diseases should not attend social events and gatherings.

On October 28, the UAE recorded 1,400 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 129,024.

Wedding receptions resume

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management allowed wedding receptions and social events at homes, hotels, halls and tents to resume last week. Each hall can host up to 200 people, while parties at homes and tents should not exceed 30 people, with a rule of one person per four square metres of space in the venue.

Sharjah will allow wedding receptions and social gatherings in hotels, event halls and homes to resume in line with Covid-19 safety guidelines from November 1.

Restrictions on gatherings remain tight in Abu Dhabi with authorities saying formal wedding ceremonies in the capital cannot exceed 10 guests.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, set an example to the public by attending a royal wedding virtually. They extended good wishes to a newlywed royal couple through video conferencing on October 27.