UAE National Day: what are the Covid rules for people attending events today?

From masks to PCR validity, there are regulations in place to protect the public

A spectacular fireworks display on the Corniche to mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee year in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Down below was a wonder that seemed to defy the laws of physics: a lake floating on a lake — the man-made stage for the hour-long show. Everyone in the UAE could watch the live show broadcast on all local TV channels, as well as on the National Day’s official website. Victor Besa/TheNational.

The Golden Jubilee show opened with the sound of drums rolling across the waters and reverberating through the peaks. From high in the hills came the sound of the nadba, the ancient cry of greeting of the Shihuh, the tribe whose home is the mountains of the Northern Emirates. Victor Besa/TheNational.

Live screenings were also organised in all seven emirates, in cinemas, cultural spaces, and public places. Victor Besa/TheNational

Broadcast live from Hatta Lake, the 50th National Day Celebration was a fitting extravaganza for a country that often goes above and beyond. Victor Besa/TheNational.

The UAE flag displayed on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh/The National.

Children enjoying the joy rides outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh/The National.

ADNOC lit up with different images of the leaders to mark the year of the Golden Jubilee occasion, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National

A young boy waves the UAE flag from the dhow monument along the Corniche for the 50th National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National

Children waiting for the airshow display along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Proud Emirati children waiving the UAE flag along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend the Federal Supreme Council meeting, at the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Palace. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The Al Fursan Air Display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A spectacular aerial display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Water Feature area at Expo 2020 Dubai during the 50th UAE National Day. Victor Besa/The National.

Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden near Kite Beach. Pawan Singh / The National

A girl and a boy with UAE flag colours at Kite Beach, on Jumeirah Beach Road. Ruel Pableo / The National

Families spend time at Kite Beach on UAE National Day. Ruel Pableo / The National

A flag-carrying family cycle along Kite Beach. Ruel Pableo / The National

Young women on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi fly the country's flag for the 50th National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirati families celebrate the UAE's National Day on the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirati boys enjoy National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A young man's headgear is straightened for National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Proud siblings wave the national flag on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai prepare to celebrate the UAE's 50th National Day. Victor Besa / The National

Brothers spend the country's anniversary at the world's fair. Victor Besa / The National

Festivities get under way with a colourful parade. Victor Besa / The National

The parade is a sea of colour and sound. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the country had overcome huge challenges over the past 50 years. Victor Besa / The National

Live music adds to the party atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National

(L-R) Anju Jacob, Evelyn and Sebin Dcruz at the flag garden near Dubai's kite beach on the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National

Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai on UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National

Young Emiratis in costume for UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National

A photograph is taken to mark the memorable occasion. Victor Besa / The National

Young people enjoy the special events. Victor Besa / The National

A series of events was held to mark National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

This little girl points the way forward. Victor Besa/The National

Servhub treated its employees to a National Day celebration at their accommodation in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National

Servhub staff enjoy the occasion. Ruel Pableo for The National

The flag-raising ceremony gets under way. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai, speaks after the flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

An Al Azi performance takes place. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors arrive at the world's fair – with masks on. Victor Besa / The National

People dressed to celebrate the UAE's special day arrive at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Aircraft fly over The Founder's Memorial – a national tribute to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed – on the UAE's 50th National Day. Photo: Wam

Sadique Ahamed ran 50 kilometres in Abu Dhabi on National Day to show his appreciation and loyalty to the UAE. Photo: Wam

On Wednesday, the UAE tightened Covid-19 precautions in response to the emergence of Omicron, the new variant of the coronavirus.

The Al Hosn green pass, which is required to enter many public places, will be valid for 14 days, instead of 30, following a negative PCR test.

The new rule comes into force on December 5.

Earlier this month, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority set out the regulations for people attending National Day events.

PCR tests

Negative PCR test results are required to attend events and gatherings. The test must have been taken within 96 hours of the event.

Temperatures

The event capacity is limited to 80 per cent and temperatures will be taken before entry.

Masks

Masks must be worn at all times while indoors and when the event is crowded.

Social distancing

A distance of 1.5 metres must be kept from strangers. One family is allowed to sit or stand together without the need to stand apart.

Handshakes and hugs should be avoided.

Eligibility to attend

People of all ages are eligible to attend events, provided they have received a vaccine more than 14 days ago, received a booster or have a green-pass status on their Al Hosn application.

Event organisers will be required to form teams to ensure safety requirements are carried out and respected. They will also ensure entry and exit points are carefully organised to prevent crowding.

Continuous and periodic disinfection is also required. Hand sanitiser should be placed at the entrances and exits of public toilets.

"Let us celebrate safely, and preserve the gains and efforts made for the state for the sake of our health and safety," an Ncema representative said at a recent Covid-19 briefing.

The UAE was recently named the world’s most resilient country in terms of the Covid-19 response.

High vaccination rates and increased air travel were among the factors which propelled the Emirates to the top of the Bloomberg News chart.