The UAE has announced the return of iftar tents during Ramadan for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The marquees have been cancelled for the past two years to prevent gatherings and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
On Monday, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said the tents would be reinstated.
“This comes in line with the national strategy to maintain public health and safety in light of the resumption of various public activities, and in support of the tireless efforts made at the country level to achieve sustainable recovery and restore normalcy,” it told Wam.
Ramadan is expected to begin on April 2, but the start date is to be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.
Prior to the pandemic, large tents were typically erected next to mosques and often provided meals to low-income workers.
In 2020, charitable organisations delivered iftar dishes directly to those in need rather than at tents or at mosques.
The change was made necessary to avoid mass gatherings.
NCEMA set out a number of Covid-19 safety measures for the operation of the tents:
- A green pass on Al Hosn app will be required to enter
- Approval will be required from Emirates Red Crescent to set up a tent
- Each emirate will consult with its local Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority to decide occupancy levels
- Social distancing of one metre must be maintained
- Masks must be worn
- Tents may open two hours before iftar
- Organisers are to provide masks and disinfectant and to direct people to follow all precautionary and preventive measures, including mask-wearing, physical distancing and frequent hand sterilisation.
- Open-air tents to be used
- Using disposable table covers is mandatory, with disposable plates, cups and spoons recommended
The move comes amid a sharp drop in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks.
On Monday, the UAE reported 296 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily tally in 12 weeks.
Daily figures had exceeded 3,000 as recently as January.
Authorities have eased Covid-19 restrictions in line with a cautious recovery from the pandemic.
The wearing of masks outdoors is now optional outdoors, although such face coverings remain mandatory in indoor settings.
Last month, Abu Dhabi lifted Covid-19 border controls on entry to the capital from other emirates.
The emirate’s Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee said Al Hosn green pass would no longer be required.
EDE scanners were also removed from checkpoints for commuters.
The green pass system will still be needed to gain access to public buildings in Abu Dhabi.
Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures
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One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
