Dubai Police arrests man for breaking quarantine and bragging about it

Man posted videos on social media 'deliberately bragging about his recklessness'

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - N/A. News. Coronavirus/Covid-19. A 'Stay Safe' sign in Jumeirah. Friday, September 11th, 2020. Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Police on Saturday said its officers arrested a man for breaching mandatory home quarantine and posting a video on social media bragging about it.

The man posted an online message to say he went out to buy coffee despite being infected with Covid-19, police said.

Brig Jamal Al Jallaf, director of the Criminal Investigation Department, said he had been put under quarantine and legal action taken.

"Not only did he violate home quarantine laws, he also deliberately bragged about his recklessness and published a video on social media platforms," Brig Al Jallaf said.

Strict measures are in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The man faces a Dh50,000 fine for failing to adhere to home quarantine, while the UAE’s cybercrime laws state that encouraging rule-breaking by publishing information is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine of between Dh200,000 and Dh1 million.

The move came on the same day the UAE recorded 1,007 cases of coronavirus – the highest daily total since the pandemic began.

Brig Al Jallaf called on all members of the public to support efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.

People must wear a face mask when outside the house and observe physical distancing.

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