Everything you need to know about shopping malls, face masks, and exercising outdoors…

While Covid-19 restrictions have begun to ease across the country, there has been some confusion when it comes to rules for children in the UAE.

Overnight, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) made a joint statement announcing that children under the age of 12 (along with people over the age of 60) were prohibited from enterting shopping malls, supermarkets and retail stores.

Previously, when restrictions were first eased in April, only children aged three to 12 had been expressly forbidden from entering malls.

Parents in the UAE have also sought clarity on whether or not children are allowed to exercise outdoors.

Initially, there was no mention of children when the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announced that residents would be allowed outside to exercise for up to two hours each day.

Shortly after this announcement was made, however, a video posted by the Dubai Media Office stipulated that children and the elderly were not allowed to exercise outdoors.

 

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To clarify this, UAE parenting magazine Baby & Child reached out to Dubai Media Office, who stated: “Children may accompany their parents to walk in their neighbourhood for 1-2 hours, so long as they are taking the right precautions of adhering to the social distancing measures, limiting the number to three people only and wearing face masks.”

In brief: Covid-19 rules for children in the UAE

  • Children under the age of 12 are not allowed in shopping malls, supermarkets or retail outlets.
  • Children may accompany their parents to exercise outside for up to two hours each day.
  • When outside the home, children must wear a face mask at all times.
  • Children must follow social distancing rules, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres.
  • If your child is too young (or refuses) to wear a face mask, it is recommended that you keep them at home.
  • Families in the UAE are now exempt from the three-person limit in cars.
  • Children may visit family members, as long as there’s no more than five people, and social distancing rules are followed.

For more on coronavirus in the UAE, read these 10 rules to remember as the UAE eases Covid-19 restrictions.

Images: Unsplash/supplied