Dubai, May 2: The Dubai government has recently announced the changes in working hours in government offices during the holy month of Ramadan. According to the International Astronomical Centre, Ramadan is expected to begin on May 6 in most of the Islamic nations.

The UAE government has reduced public and private sector working hours for Ramadan. Government offices will work from 9 am till 2 pm and the private sector timings have been shortened by two hours across the UAE.

It was announced on Tuesday that parking during Iftar across paid zones in UAE will be free and the paid parking zones in Dubai will be operational from 8 am to 6 pm and from 8 pm to midnight during Ramadan. At Tecom, the tariff will apply from 8 am to 6 pm, while in the multi-level parking lots, fees will be applicable 24/7.

Students in UAE will have shorter school days during Ramadan. School during Ramadan will function between 8.00 am to 8.30 am and finish between 1.00 pm to 1.30 pm, with shorter breaks as required. Schools have been instructed to ensure that the total hours at school per day for students do not exceed five hours.

Malls in Dubai will continue to operate throughout Ramadan, with extended late-night operating hours to accommodate those fasting between sunrise and sunset. Malls will remain open until 1 am on weekdays and until 2 am on weekends. They also reminded mall goers that some smaller boutiques and small businesses may choose to close during the day and reopen after sunset.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced changes in business hours for all its services during the holy month of Ramadan. RTA services affected by Ramadan timing include customers' happiness centres, paid parking zones, public buses, Dubai Metro and Tram, marine transit modes and service-provider centers.