Cabinet eases mask rule

Decisions to come into force from May 21

THE Cabinet has further relaxed COVID-19 restrictions and announced that masks will not be mandatory in most places. The decisions will come into force on Saturday, May 21, and will remain in force until further notice.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, on Wednesday took the decision after reviewing the report of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management regarding the plan to gradually lift the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Cabinet decided to lift restrictions imposed on people’s entry to closed public places, but they will be required to show the green sign in the Ehteraz application when entering these places.

It has been decided to continue with measures set by the Ministry of Public Health for holding any conference, exhibition or event.

All employees in the government sector as well as the private sector will continue to carry out their work at their workplace.

Employees and workers in the government and private sectors are not obligated to conduct a rapid test for the coronavirus (RapidAntigen) approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

Citizens, residents and visitors are not required to wear masks in closed public places unless they are inside health facilities or using the public transportation.

Not obligating employees and workers in the government and private sectors whose nature of work requires being in open spaces and communicating with the public to wear masks during their work period, with obligating them to wear masks if the nature of their work requires dealing with the public in closed places.

The Cabinet decided to continue to work to oblige all citizens, residents and visitors to activate the Ehteraz application on smart phones when leaving the house for any reason.

In this regard, adherence to the health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures, and controls determined by the Ministry of Public Health shall be considered.

The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and other government agencies — each within its jurisdiction — shall take the necessary measures in this regard, to ensure adherence to health requirements, procedures, precautionary measures, and established controls.

After that, the Cabinet was informed of the Shura Council’s approval of a Draft Law on the Temporary Expropriation and Appropriation of Real Estate for the Public Benefit.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Cabinet mourned with great sadness and sorrow the forgiven, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was a symbol of wisdom, moderation, and sincerity in the service of his country and nation.

The Cabinet expressed its sincere condolences to the honorable Al-Nahyan family and to the government and people of the brotherly UAE.