Fines of Dh2,000 in UAE if you leave home during day without valid reason

People leaving their homes during the national sterilisation programme between 8pm to 6am, can be slapped with a Dh3,000 fine according to new resolution on the list of sanctions for the precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Emirati lawyer Mohammad Al Redha, of Al Redha Advocates and Legal Consultants, told Gulf News, that the new resolution issued by the UAE Attorney General highlighted two different fines for people defying government instructions both in curfew and non-curfew times.

“People leaving their homes during announced curfew times will get a fine of Dh3,000, unless it is a necessary matter or they are from vital sectors who are exempted from the curfew,” said Al Redha. “Meanwhile, people leaving their homes during non-curfew hours will also get a Dh2,000 fine unless its to perform a vital job or to buy necessities,” he added.

Al Redha said that a violation will be issued if the violator refuses to respond to warnings and directives issued by law enforcement officers of the competent federal and local bodies.

“There is a great human angle in the new resolution by giving power to the law enforcement officer to issue a warning to the violator first before issuing a violation report if the violator didn’t respond to the warning,” Al Redha said.

Violation report

He added that as per the resolution, the officer must write the violation report including the violator’s details, type of violation, time and attached documents proving the violation.

“For example, if a person has chronic disease or cold and flu symptoms and they forgot to wear a mask inside supermarket, then the officer can warn them to wear a mask. If that person still insists not to wear the mask then he will be fined Dh1,000 as per the resolution,” said Al Redha.