UAE lifts covid restrictions, finally – Here’s what you need to know

News Network

February 15, 2022

Dubai, Feb 15: Starting today, the UAE is formally easing capacity and social distance restrictions imposed after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to check the spread of the coronavirus.

This new decision comes in the wake of the decline in Omicron-driven coronavirus cases in the country since January 22 when cases had reached 3,000 per day. Since then, the daily cases have been on the decline. On Sunday, February 13, the UAE reported 1,266 new cases of coronavirus and 2,513 recoveries.

“The remarkable commitment of community members and their effective contributions to the implementation of precautionary and preventive measures helped decrease the number of cases recorded, with a clear decrease in the admission rate of patients with Covid-19 in hospitals,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) of UAE said last week.

On February 9, 2022, the NCEMA had announced in a briefing that the capacity of people in entertainment venues, shopping centres, restaurants and cafes, worship places and various means of transportation would be lifted from mid-February.

Below is the list of places and guidelines which will come into effect from tomorrow and all UAE residents need to know:

>>Social events

The official spokesperson of NCEMA announced that maximum capacity is allowed for social events such as weddings, events and funerals. However, the authority announced that each Emirate will decide about the percentage for operating capacity for different social events.

>>Cinemas

The Media Regulatory Office of the Ministry of Culture and Youth announced on Sunday that cinemas in the UAE will begin operating at maximum capacity from February 15.

The decision was issued by the (NCEMA.

NCEMA stipulates that each emirate can modify cinema capacity, easing or tightening procedures as they deem fit.

>>Sports venues

Sports facilities such as football stadiums will operate at 100 per cent while maintaining the Al Hosn app’s Green Pass protocol. Under the new guidelines, all visitors must have a Green Pass on their Al Hosn app or a negative PCR test no more than 96 hours old to enter the stadium.

>>Places of worship

As per the new rules, social distancing in mosques, churches and other worship places will be reduced to one metre. The Authority said the situation will be monitored closely during February and appropriate precautionary measures will be set accordingly to aid the decision of maintaining or cancelling the safe distance between worshippers.

>>Keep following safety rules

The Authority emphasised that residents should still wear masks, maintain social distance and sanitisation for their safety.

>>Booster shots

NCEMA urged residents to get both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. And those who are fully vaccinated should get booster shots to improve their immunity.

>>Green Pass

As per the NCEMA announcement, it’s necessary to provide a Green Pass on the Al Hosn app to access various public places. It also announced that crisis and disaster management committees in each emirate will take responsibility for determining the capacity in the emirate as well as easing for strict procedures and adjusting the capacity according to indicators.

Comments

Great news!
Do we still have to have a negative PCR test coming back to Dubai from Europe after 15/2?
Thanks for answer.
//CD

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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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