Sheikh Zayed Grand. Mosque, Abu Dhabi
On Monday, the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) announced the return of iftar tents this Ramadan, two years after they were revoked due to Covid-19. The announcement was accompanied by a set of Covid-19 guidelines which include social distancing and mask mandates to ensure the safety of fasters. Ramadan in 2022 is expected to begin on April 2, but further confirmation will be provided upon moon-sighting.
As per NCEMA regulations, a green pass on the Al Hosn application will also be required for entry into the iftar tents. There will be security or volunteers at every tent to make sure everything operates smoothly and people are following guidelines of physical distancing, sanitization, and wearing masks.
تماشياً مع استراتيجية دولة #الإمارات في المحافظة على صحة وسلامة المجتمع في ظل استمرار الأنشطة المختلفة، ودعماً للجهود الوطنية لتحقيق التعافي المستدام وعودة الحياة الطبيعية الجديدة، تُعلن #الطوارئ_والأزمات عن بروتوكول إقامة خيم إفطار صائم لشهر رمضان المبارك.#يدا_بيد_نتعافى pic.twitter.com/Pb30VERMkw
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 14, 2022
Doors for the iftar tents will open two hours prior to the Maghrib (Iftar timing) prayer, allocating enough time for people to arrive and enter without crowding the entrances. Considering the high temperatures during the month of Ramadan, it is mandatory for all tents to either be open from all sides or air-conditioned. It has also been stated by the authorities that single-use tablecloths and cutlery are mandatory, meaning that the tents will have to use disposable plates, glasses, and spoons.
Depending on the emirate, the regulations and permits for the iftar tents differ. The Local Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management committees in each emirate are responsible for approving or rejecting any iftar tents and setting the Covid-19 guidelines should there be one. In coordination with the Emirates Red Crescent, the committees will also be in charge of setting the capacity of people allowed in each tent.
For the past two years, 2020 and 2021, Ramadan tents and majlis events were canceled by the UAE as per regulatory and precautionary measures in line with Covid-19.
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