Sharjah authorities have tightened restrictions on social gatherings including wedding receptions and parties. Under new rules issued to combat Covid-19, the maximum number of guests allowed for such events has been cut from 30 to 20. Only one person is allowed for every four square metres of available floor space. Tables must be placed four metres apart from one another and venues may admit no more than 50 per cent of their capacity. The duration of domestic celebrations must not exceed four hours and live music performances are prohibited. Sharjah Police set out the updated directives in partnership with the emirate’s Suburbs and Village Affairs Department. Guests must wear masks at all times and avoid nose-to-nose greetings, kissing, hugging and shaking hands. People showing symptoms of illness or who suffer from chronic diseases that make them more vulnerable are urged not to attend such events. Hand sanitiser must be provided and venues well ventilated. Wedding receptions and other social gatherings in hotels, event halls and homes were halted nationwide in March to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On November 1, Sharjah allowed them to resume in line with Covid-19 safety guidelines. The revised guidelines come amid a rise in cases since the start of the year. Infection rates have increased from about 1,200 each day in December to more than 3,000 daily cases for much of 2021.
