Covid-19: New rules in Abu Dhabi help prevent gatherings during Eid break

Abu Dhabi - The new rules had been issued by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee started on July 19.

New Covid-19 measures which came into effect on the first day of Eid Al Adha in Abu Dhabi had encouraged many residents to avoid gatherings, opting instead for more intimate family celebrations.

The new rules issued by the Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee started on July 19; resulted in restricted movements, updated entry rules into the emirate, and reduced capacity at malls, cinemas, and other public spaces.

For Sri Lankan expat Robert Kim, this Eid holiday didn’t include members of his extended family, or friends, as was the case in the past, but was an intimate family affair.

“This Eid break was different as we had to avoid gatherings,” said Kim.

“On the day of Eid Al Adha, I went to the Corniche beach, with my wife and kids, to swim during the afternoon. In the evening, we hung out at the Corniche park until 10:00pm,” this was to ensure that they reached home before the sterilisation programme being carried out across the city began at midnight.

Jumah Ali, an Egyptian resident, said that he and his friends had to cancel a day trip that they had planned to Khorfakkan beach in the northern emirates as they were worried that they wouldn't be unable to make it back to the capital on time.

“We feared that we might return late to Abu Dhabi and have problems due to the movement restrictions in place after midnight,” he said.

He decided to spend time with his children at the Yas Waterworld for some fun water games.

Mohammed Kezaala from Uganda said a community football event that was planned to take place over the long weekend holiday had to be called off due to the restrictions.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com