People receive COVID-19 boosters targeting Omicron
Reuters

In a major development, the United Arab Emirates has said most of its remaining pandemic-linked restrictions will be dropped from Monday. Wearing masks is no longer mandatory in public places, including mosques.

The UAE has been one of the most cautious countries in the Middle East regarding the perils of COVID-19, putting in place some of the longest-running curbs on travel and hospitality.

The update comes after a media briefing by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) on Sunday, as reported by Gulf News. As per the new rules, the Al Hosn application (Green Pass) will no longer be required to enter any public place. It will, however, still be required to prove vaccination certificates and PCR test results inside and outside the country (upon request). They will also be mandatory in health facilities and centers where people with disabilities are sheltered.

As per a tweet by NCEMA, "PCR testing and treatment health facilities will continue to operate. And the five-days isolation period for those infected with COVID-19 will still be implemented." It added: "As for sporting events and activities, organizing bodies at the national and local levels may request pre-examinations, or vaccination certificates, according to the type or importance of the activity."

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) November 6, 2022

UAE made masks optional in public places on Sept. 28, but they stayed compulsory at mosques, medical facilities and public transport.

Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, NCEMA Official Spokesperson, said in the presser: "The UAE government has made unremitting efforts during the last period to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in increased awareness on how to deal with epidemics and diseases."

"The health sector, in coordination and cooperation with concerned authorities, intensified its efforts to deal with the health crisis, stemming from the belief that society's health is a top priority of the wise leadership," he added, saying that the pandemic situation in the country will continue to be monitored by all the health agencies in the country, and steps will be taken as per the reports. UAE received worldwide recognition for its deft handling of the pandemic in the last two years.

Many people from all over the world moved to the UAE as a means of staying out of the clutches of the virus, which compelled several countries of the world into a lockdown in 2020.