A maximum of ten first-degree relatives of the bride and groom are now allowed at weddings and other family occasions in the UAE, under new guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
And family members must have all taken a COVID-19 test 24 hours ahead of the event.
The new guidelines have been issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Organisers are also reminded of the importance of strict monitoring as well as the fines that can be imposed.
Open buffets are not allowed and single use utensils and cups are recommended. Meanwhile all surfaces must be sanitised frequently, with hand sanitisers provided. There must be social distancing of two metres, and isolation rooms should a case be suspected.
Those with chronic diseases and the elderly are advised not to attend the gatherings.
For funerals a maximum of ten people are allowed, with the number of people responsible for digging reduced to two, with a maximum of eight pallbearers. Face masks must be warn and tools disinfected.
Anyone working at the cemetery or attending the funeral must be educated about the preventative measures and security should be present to ensure the maximum number is no more than ten.
