Sharjah eases coronavirus rules to allow more people at malls, cinemas and weddings

A maximum of 300 guests can now attend marriage functions

Sharjah has increased capacity at shopping centres, cinemas and entertainment venues. Pawan Singh / The National

Authorities in Sharjah have further eased coronavirus restrictions to allow more people to visit malls, cinemas and hold larger weddings.

Shopping centres, cinemas and entertainment venues will now operate at 80 per cent of their capacity with strict precautionary measures.

Under the new rules, wedding halls will be allowed to accommodate a maximum of 300 people. Vaccinated people and those who participated in vaccine trials only can attend social events.

Guests must maintain physical distancing and wear face masks, officials said.

They must also present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before the event.

The emirate’s Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management team said the rules were revised in line with the UAE's strategy to a safe return to normal life.

The committee urged the public to abide by safety rules and avoid crowding.

Since February, shopping centres in Sharjah were limited to 60 per cent of their capacity while cinemas and entertainment venues operated at 50 per cent.