[UPDATED] Full List of Fines for Violators of COVID-19 Rules

new fines covid violators

Amid recent incidents of violations concerning COVID-19 regulations, the UAE government has released an updated list of fines — starting from AED 1,000 up to AED 50,000 — for those who fail to comply with these rules.

The list, which was initially issued last May, applies to the entire country. However, authorities of individual emirates may choose to include additional measures in their respective areas. Keep on reading to make sure that you follow the latest COVID-19 regulations!

new fines covid violators

Updated List of Fines for Violating COVID-19 Rules

Below is the updated list of fines released through WAM, as reported by The National:

AED 1,000 fine for:

  • Retaking a COVID-19 test within 2 weeks without a valid reason;
  • Breaking health and hygiene standards in the workplace or in shared residence areas;
  • Misusing chemicals for cleaning or pest control; and
  • Displaying, transferring, or storing food, health products, cosmetics, veterinary products, or pesticide products incorrectly.

AED 2,000 fine for:

  • Not following or breaching instructions to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and to preserve health.

AED 3,000 fine for:

  • Not following social distancing rules;
  • Not wearing a face mask in an indoor public area, in public transport, in a private vehicle with 3 or more persons, or while walking or exercising in busy areas;
  • Not following curfew timings by relevant authorities (except for those in vital sectors);
  • Not disposing of clothes, luggage, or other temporary structures or items that may be contaminated and cannot be disinfected;
  • Breaching preventive measures while exercising or participating in sports or recreational activities in public areas, hotel pools, or beaches;
  • Visiting a healthcare facility unnecessarily or without valid reason;
  • The owner or a facility that is not taking proper public health measures in markets; and
  • The driver of a vehicle that has more than 3 unrelated persons (up to 2nd-degree relatives).

AED 5,000 fine for:

  • Not wearing a face mask in the workplace (employee will be fined AED 500, and the person in charge will be fined AED 5,000);
  • Not adhering to precautionary measures when transferring workers;
  • Not following measures issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention for persons arriving from countries affected by communicable disease;
  • Not following provisions of Communicable Diseases Law when burying or transporting the body of a person who died of a communicable disease;
  • Refusing a medical exam upon the order of authorities;
  • Violating capacity restrictions on transportation;
  • Transporting goods in a vehicle that is not authorised for that purpose (vehicle will be impounded for a month);
  • Health care facilities that fail to comply with security information standards;
  • A company management that fails to clean and sterilise equipment used in food production;
  • A company management that fails to sanitise public and private vehicles, including taxis;
  • The management of shopping centres, pools, restaurants, or other establishments that allow overcrowding; and
  • The owner of a company wherein the workers do not wear gloves or adhere to a 2-metre distance when leaving a vehicle (worker will be fined AED 500).

AED 10,000 fine for:

  • Organising a public or private gathering (participants will be fined additional AED 5,000 each);
  • Not complying with the temporary suspension on tourist cruises;
  • Refusing to install or register a smart tracking application, failing to carry the tracking device for home quarantine cases, and for losing or destroying the tracking device (offender will also bear the cost of any damages to the device);
  • Failing to inform authorities of a lost or damaged device within 24 hours;
  • The owner of a company and driver of a private vehicle that is providing unauthorised transport of workers between emirates (vehicle will be impounded for a month); and
  • The crew of shelter ships and cruise ships, including the captain and shipping agent who fail to take precautionary measures.

AED 20,000 fine for:

  • Opening an entity without a thermal scanner;
  • Medical laboratories that fail to immediately report new information to authorities;
  • Sharing confidential patient information or damaging the said information; and
  • Hacking, damaging, altering, or illegally obtaining information from the systems of applications or smart devices (offender will also bear the cost of any damages to the device).

AED 30,000 fine for:

  • Holding private classes (additional Dh20,000 fine for the host).

AED 50,000 for:

  • Not adhering to mandatory home quarantine or quarantine in a facility, as instructed by authorities;
  • Refusing mandatory hospitalisation, prescribed treatment, monitoring, and re-examinations, as requested by authorities;
  • Failing to comply with quarantine instructions in a private quarantine facility; and
  • Educational institutions, sports facilities, commercial centres, open air markets, cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, cinemas, amusement parks, beaches, pools, or similar establishments that do not adhere to prevention measures set by relevant authorities in each emirate (person in charge will be fined additional AED 5,000).

For the initial list of rules issued last May, see below. In any case, please be sure to follow the rules at all times — at home, in the workplace, and especially when out in public. Keep in mind that all of these measures are imposed not just for your own health and safety… but for the entire community and country, as well.

Previous List: May 18, 2020

UAE Releases Revised List of Fines for Covid-19 Restriction Violators 

The UAE, on a press briefing last Monday (May 18), has released a revised list of fines for Covid-19 restriction and rules violators. This comes at a time when residents are introduced to new guidelines set by the government to maintain public health and safety as the country gradually opens its economy to cope with the effects caused by the viral outbreak. 

ALSO READ: 5 Important Reminders When Using Public Transportation

The government has announced the first phase of easing of restrictions which took effect on April 24, coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan in the UAE. 

In a report shared by WAM, Acting Chief of Prosecution of the Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee Salem Al Zaabi shared: “Some penalties have been tightened in line with the current situation and government instructions to gradually ease the precautionary measures to curb the [spread of] COVID-19.” 

Here is the updated list of fines released by the UAE government:

  • Those who don’t abide by the closure of schools, gyms, cinemas, parks, cafes, restaurants, and pools will be slapped with an AED 50,000 fine. This also applies to those not abiding by the prescribed opening and closing times of restaurants, parks, malls, etc.
  • An AED 10,000 fine will be given to those who have or had COVID-19 and refuse to download the app used for COVID-19 tracing.
  •  Likewise, an AED 20,000 fine will be given to those who have or had COVID-19 and try to tamper with tracking device or app installed by authorities
  • Another AED 20,000 fine will be given to those who do not place thermal cameras where required.
  • For having a party or gathering, an AED 10,000 fine will be given to the host and AED 5,000 to each attendee.
  •  In cars, with more than three people traveling or not wearing masks, an AED 3,000 fine will be given.
  • Meanwhile, those who do not wear masks at work or in the office will be given a fine of AED 5,000 (for the company) and AED 500 for the employee.
  • For failing to maintain physical distancing at work or in other places such as shops or restaurants, an AED 3,000 fine will be given per person involved and an AED 5,000 fine for the establishment.
  • An AED 5,000 fine will be given to shops that operate beyond permitted times.
  • Similarly, refusal to do a COVID-19 test will result in a fine of AED 5,000. For those who refuse to redo a COVID-19 test after two weeks, an AED 1,000 fine will apply.  
  • Those caught violating rules during the Sterilization period will be given an AED 3,000 fine.
  • And for private tutors offering their services during this period, an AED 30,000 fine will be given to them, and an AED 20,000 fine to those who avail their services. 
  • Companies who move their workers between emirates will be given a fine worth AED 10,000, along with the confiscation of the vehicle.    

In addition to these, legal consultant Salem Al Zaabi, acting Chairman of the Public Prosecution for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster, shared on Monday (May 18) said that those who fail to comply with home and health quarantine will be fined AED 50,000.

In case of repeat violations or non-compliance with the quarantine instructions for the second time, the offender will be referred to the Public Prosecution and will be subject to a criminal trial, and is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months, and a fine of not less than AED 100,000, or one of these two penalties.

UAE authorities also announced that from Ramadan 27, sterilization would start at 8 pm, and end at 6 am. There will also be changes in mall and shop timings accordingly.