UAE reports 519 new coronavirus cases

More than 24 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered to date

From February 26, 2022, the use of masks will only be mandatory in closed, indoor spaces. People are not required by law to wear masks outside. Victor Besa / The National

The use of masks outside will be optional, the Supreme Council for National Security said in a Twitter post. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Masks will only be necessary in closed, indoor spaces. Antonie Robertson / The National

People will not be required by law to wear masks outside. Reuters

Masks must still be worn in all indoor areas and public places — including shopping malls and schools. Reuters

Face masks have become a household item across the country and are available in shops and pharmacies. Victor Besa / The National

Pedestrians had previously been required to wear face masks on the street. Victor Besa / The National    

South Africa cricket fans wearing face masks inside a socially distanced zone at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket game at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi last year. EPA

The UAE reported 519 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

The new cases bring the total number of infections recorded in the country since the pandemic began early in 2020 to 880,970.

Officials said there were no Covid-19 deaths in the 24-hour reporting period.

Another 1,613 people beat the virus, and the recovery total climbed to 837,139.

An additional 430,493 tests were conducted over the 24-hour period, bringing the total number carried out since the beginning of the outbreak to more than 138 million.

Mass testing of the public and a nationwide vaccination campaign have been central to the UAE’s recovery strategy.

More than 24.1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered to the public to date, with about 95.9 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.

The UAE has also been lifting rules as the country emerges from the pandemic.

On Friday, the Emirates announced the most significant easing of restrictions since April 2020.

The decisions scrap quarantine for close contacts, remove PCR testing requirements for travellers and lift border restrictions in Abu Dhabi.

As of March 3, visitors coming to the UAE through its land borders must have a negative PCR test result taken 24 hours prior to arrival. The rule applies to people who want to stay for 72 hours only.