Dubai reduces social distancing rule to one metre in some areas

Restaurants and cafes, malls, gyms, beaches, public and entertainment parks, and workplaces are affected

A Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's International Financial Centre district. AFP

A masked falconer entertains tourists at Dubai's historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. AFP

Cove Beach at Caesars Palace, Dubai. Reuters

Fitness enthusiasts in Dubai return to gyms as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Antonie Robertson / The National

Coronavirus vaccine shipment arrives at Dubai International Airport. AFP

The number of joggers has increased steadily along Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island in recent months. EPA

A nationwide vaccination and screening drive in Dubai has been credited for helping to limit the spread of Covid-19. Dubai Media Office

Temperature scanners at Dubai International Airport are one of several measures introduced by the emirate to help detect Covid-19 among travellers. AP

The Dubai government has reduced the two-metre social distancing rule to just one metre in some areas of the emirate.

An email sent by Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing to local businesses indicated restaurants and cafes, shopping centres, gyms, beaches, public and entertainment parks, offices and workplaces no longer needed to implement the two-metre rule between customers and clients.

“This is a remarkable achievement after the challenging 19 months we had all endured,” Naim Maadad, founder of Gates Hospitality, told The National.

“A step in the right direction yet again and we are well on the road to full recovery.

“The onus though remains on all of us to enforce such regulations responsibly.”

Social distancing with a space of two metres was brought in last year to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

This autumn, cases have fallen to under 100 a day in the UAE thanks to a combination of regular testing, and an extensive vaccination programme.

More than 98.19 per cent of people in the UAE have received one dose, and 88.12 per cent are fully vaccinated, with most residents receiving either Pfizer-BioNTech or Sinopharm vaccines.

Pfizer-BioNTech was approved for emergency use for children aged between 5 and 11 in the UAE this week.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said last month that the UAE had “overcome the Covid-19 crisis” and called on people to return to normality.

Masks are still required in all public areas, with some exceptions.