<b>Live updates: follow the latest news on </b><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/coronavirus/2021/11/29/omicron-live-updates-covid-variant-vaccine-test-cases-travel/"><b>Covid-19 variant Omicron</b></a> The UAE has announced <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/health/2021/12/15/covid-19-isolation-rules-for-dubai-and-abu-dhabi-what-happens-if-i-test-positive-now/" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> safety measures for <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/christmas/" target="_blank">Christmas</a> and New Year celebrations. Venues must limit capacity to 80 per cent. Those attending events must present their <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/09/21/here-are-the-new-rules-of-al-hosn-green-pass-in-abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">Al Hosn green pass</a> if required as well as proof of a negative <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2021/10/08/what-is-the-difference-between-a-pcr-test-and-a-lateral-flow-test/" target="_blank">PCR test</a> result from within 96 hours. People will be prohibited from hugging or shaking hands at gatherings in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus under the protocols approved by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority. Temperature checks will take place at entry points and organisers are being asked to install barriers to manage crowds. People must also continue to wear <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/09/23/covid-19-rules-in-uae-all-the-places-where-masks-are-no-longer-required/" target="_blank">masks</a>. The measures were set out at the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/uae/" target="_blank">UAE's</a> weekly coronavirus briefing on Wednesday. The rules allow families to sit together without the need to follow physical distancing measures. All other members of the public must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others. Teams will be set up at events to ensure safety procedures are being followed. Although <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/covid/" target="_blank">Covid-19</a> safety rules differ from emirate to emirate — <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/dubai/" target="_blank">Dubai's</a> are set by its own crisis committee — the wearing of masks in public places is mandatory. Citizens and residents were praised during the briefing for their commitment to following coronavirus safety rules but were urged to continue playing their part in the UAE's steady recovery from the pandemic. A government spokesman said global studies had made clear the importance of receiving a <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/2021/11/29/dubai-begins-booster-shot-appointments-as-omicron-spreads-globally/" target="_blank">booster</a> dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to safeguard public health. “Based on studies and research issued by the World Health Organisation, it indicates that people who received a supportive dose were less infected than those who did not receive the support dose even if they were exposed to infection with mild symptoms,” he said. “Human health and safety is one of the most important priorities of the state, and therefore obtaining the booster and booster dose is considered an essential support for obtaining the antibodies necessary to prevent the mutations and genetic mutations of the coronavirus.”