Publishing rumours a crime: Abu Dhabi Police
ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Police stated that publishing rumours is a crime punishable by law, in accordance with Article (198) of the Information Technology Law, and stipulates the offender is jailed for a period of no less than a year for promoting rumours disturbing public security, terrorising people, or harming the public interest.
The police stressed that the community members should act like a protective shield in dealing with the spread of rumours and misleading news.
The police also stated also that promoters are taking advantage of the crisis environment to spread anxiety and fears among people, and that the facts should be taken from the official authorities.
The police called on the public not to publish rumours, circulate them on social media, or promote unfounded news which affects the public opinion.
Recently, the Abu Dhabi General HQ was urging the public to take the necessary safety precautions against coronavirus (COVID-19), by not leaving their homes unless for emergency cases, work-purposes, and shopping for essential food and medicine products besides being obligated to wear face-masks at all times.
In addition, the number of passengers in a family-vehicle must not exceed three persons. Families are also urged not to visit public places, and must keep a safe distance during family gatherings.
Abu Dhabi Police has also called on families to maintain social-distancing, not visit hospitals unless it was an emergency, avoid family and friends gatherings, and maintain their relationships through phone calls and smart applications.
Lastly, citizens, residents, and visitors are obliged to comply with the issued instructions regarding the “UAE sterilisation programme”, which states the need for staying at home during the programme timings; from 8pm until 6am, starting from March 26 until April 5.
Separately, the Ministry of Health and Prevention is currently training around 535 volunteers to support the UAE’S medical system, as part of a range of national awareness, training and prevention initiatives that aim to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Covid-19.
This announcement was made during the seventh periodic briefing of the UAE Government, which presented the latest developments regarding the efforts to counter coronavirus.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson of the UAE Health Sector, stated that the ministry is currently conducting training programmes for volunteers around the country, which involve different sectors that support the medical system, such as contact centres, quarantine centres, hospitals and various sterilisation facilities.