Face masks are no longer required in most indoor public places in the UAE as sweeping changes to Covid-19 safety rules came into effect on Wednesday.
The easing of the mandate is a significant step forward in the country's fight against the virus, which first emerged in late 2019 and swiftly spread around the globe.
Under the overhaul of safety measures, face coverings are now optional in schools, venues such as malls, restaurants and places of work, and on flights to the Emirates.
Head teachers welcomed the lifting of face mask rules ― announced on Monday ― and said it will have a positive effect on children's development.
Rebecca Coulter, principal at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, said this was a day school principals had been waiting for.
“We are thrilled at the news that masks will no longer need to be worn in school,” Ms Coulter said.
“It will be great to see people’s faces, smiles and reactions.
Emirates airline, Etihad Airways and flydubai announced that passengers are no longer required to wear masks on flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“Wearing a face mask is optional in the UAE and on Emirates flights,” Emirates said on its website.
“If you are travelling from or transiting through Dubai International, the mask rules of your destination will apply throughout your journey.”
Flydubai said wearing masks was no longer mandatory on its flights to the emirate.
“Effective from September 28 [Wednesday], passengers travelling to Dubai do not need to wear a face mask while on board their flight,” guidance on the airline's website said.
“At the airport, wearing a face mask is optional and not mandatory.”
It said travellers flying out of Dubai would have to follow mask rules in place at the destination they were travelling to.
“The requirement for passengers travelling from or through Dubai to wear a face mask is determined by the rules applicable at the final destination or transit point.”
Etihad Airways said on Tuesday that masks on its flights are optional “following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Abu Dhabi”.
For outbound flights, the national airline said masks “will only be required for passengers flying to China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Philippines, South Korea, Seychelles” as well as Canada until September 30.
People will be required to wear face coverings only in places of worship, hospitals and on public transport ― which includes buses, metros and taxis ― the authorities said in a televised briefing on Monday.
The relaxation of Covid-19 protocols comes during a sharp drop in infection rates in recent months.
Daily infection rates ― which were as high as 1,800 in early July ― have stayed below 500 since August and are at their lowest levels since May.
Until now, people had to wear a mask until they were seated or eating in a cafe or restaurant.
Face masks have been central to local and international efforts to save lives and reduce infections.
For much of the pandemic, people in the UAE were mandated to wear face coverings in indoor and outdoor settings.
In February authorities lifted the requirement to wear face coverings outside.
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Neighbourhood Watch
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 0 Southampton 3 (Ings 49', Armstrong 54', Redmond 79')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
