The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has updated its guidelines for hosting indoor and outdoor social events and family celebrations in the emirate, amid rising UAE COVID-19.

Venues hosting social events such as wedding ceremonies, funerals and family gatherings are now restricted to operate at 60 per cent limitation of occupancy.

The maximum number of people permitted at indoor events mustn't exceed 50, and attendees at outdoor events and open-air activities should not number more than 150. Social events at home need to host no more than 30 people.

Meanwhile, entry to social events requires adherence to existing precautionary measures, including showing a green pass on the Alhosn app, presenting a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours and wearing masks, while observing physical distancing protocol.

Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee will increase inspection and monitoring to ensure compliance with all preventive and precautionary measures and help maintain a low COVID-19 infection rate in the emirate, state news agency WAM reported.

The Committee urges the public to continue observing precautionary measures by avoiding crowded places, wearing masks that cover both nose and mouth, practising physical distancing by keeping at least two metres apart, and regularly washing and sanitizing hands.
The Committee also encourages those eligible to receive a booster vaccine dose, and maintain green status on the Alhosn app through regular PCR testing.

It comes as the UAE's Ministry of Health reported the highest number of daily coronavirus cases in almost six months, recording more than 1,800 infections, 618 recoveries and two deaths on Sunday.

Cases in the Gulf state have been steadily rising at slow rates in recent months, but the last time the number of daily infections was this high was at the end of June when the UAE reported 2,184 cases (June 29).