Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi issues 39 fines for illegal gatherings since start of Ramadan

Abu Dhabi Police have issued 39 fines for illegal social gatherings since the beginning of Ramadan.

These were given for breaching Covid-19 rules which ban gatherings of more than 10 people, a police official said on Sunday.

Fines can reach Dh10,000 ($2,722) for organisers and Dh5,000 for each participant.

"Some Ramadan traditions and social norms have become very dangerous during the current pandemic,” a police official said.

“They contradict precautionary measures and regulations to curb the spread of Covid-19.”

Examples include “big family gatherings and iftar banquets that are held for a large number of relatives and friends”, said the official.

Police urge the public to report any breaches by calling 8002626; sending a text message to 2828; or by emailing the police's security service aman@adpolice.gov.ae.

Typical Ramadan traditions – such as tents at hotels and communal iftars – are not allowed this year, to curb the spread of Covid-19 as the vaccine programme continues its rollout.

The UAE has one of the world's fastest vaccination drives, with 10 million doses administered in just a few months.

Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

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Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets

Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2

CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID

1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)

4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)

5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)

6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)

7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)

8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)

9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)

10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)

Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE