Dhs100,000 fine, 6-month jail term for sterilisation drive violators
- 19 May 2020
The Public Prosecution has stiffened measures against the violators of the sterilisation programme. Steps include imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months, and a fine of no less than Dhs100,000 on anyone who violates the precautionary measures applied to stem the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease.
The government amended the timings of the national sterilisation programme. It will be from eight o'clock in the evening until six o'clock in the morning, which will start from the evening of Wednesday, 27 Ramadan until further notice.
The Attorney General decided to update the list of previously announced violations and fines and administrative penalties, and intensify some of them in accordance with the requirements of the public interest, to suit the current situation and government trends towards easing restrictions related to precautionary measures to combat the virus.
The UAE government said that the decision to partially relax restrictions is aimed at achieving a balance between meeting the needs of a segment of society, whose actions and source of income are linked to the commodity trade sector, and between continuing to adhere to health guidelines, so the partial easing decision set many restrictions and conditions to be followed.
The government said, “Despite the unfortunate violations we see, we offer many thanks to hundreds of thousands of citizens and residents who are committed to all precautionary measures and are keen to preserve their health and the health of those around them.”
Food outlets, cooperative societies, groceries, supermarkets, and pharmacies continue to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the sterilisation programme period.
Shopping centres can open their doors from 9am to 7pm starting from 27 Ramadan, with the application of all precautionary standards, procedures and measures, provided that the new time is announced after Eid, and “we warn visitors to the centres that the shopping period should not exceed two hours.”
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“With regard to Eid prayer, we stress the importance of adhering to what was mentioned by the Emirates Council for Legal Fatwa, in the forefront of which is keenness to pray at home, and to take health protection reasons as a legal obligation, a necessity of life, and a national commitment.
“We stress the importance of refraining from distributing Eid money to children or even spending it from banks and circulating among individuals during this period, and the use of electronic alternatives for that.