Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi (SD)

Abu Dhabi, Sep 19: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) as part of their safety guidelines announced on Friday September 18 that no family event including funerals can be attended by more than ten people.

The NCEMA, in a series of tweets, mentioned that any family gatherings should be restricted to immediate relatives and the attendees must be tested 24 hours prior to the event.

The guidelines added that buffets were prohibited and only disposals to be used, the venue must be disinfected periodically. The NCEMA would be closely monitoring the events and any violations would result in strict action against the violators.

The NCEMA has urged the elderly and those with chronic disease to refrain from attending any such gatherings.

Funerals:

At funerals, the authority has mandated all workers to wear masks and disinfect the tools before and after the funeral.

Hands must be washed using disinfectants that contain less than 60 to 80 per cent alcohol in the absence of water.

The number of pole bearers could vary from four to eight.

In a tweet, NCEMA said, "Cemetery workers must disclose any respiratory symptoms and avoid attending the funeral if they show any symptoms of the virus. Awareness posters related to COVID-19 will be placed on the cemetery gate to educate relatives of the deceased about the preventive measures."