Expo 2020 Dubai organisers confirmed on Monday that visitors to the mega event will no longer have to wear face masks outdoors.
However, Covid-19 preventive measures will continue to include the mandatory wearing of masks indoors, a statement said as Expo prepares to enter its final month.
“While event organisers do not mandate the wearing of masks at outdoor public areas, guests and staff are encouraged to continue to do so at popular entertainment venues with large attendance,” organisers said.
The rules change come after the UAE announced a relaxation of restrictions over the weekend as cases continue to fall in the country.
Under new rules, travellers who are fully vaccinated no longer need to take a PCR test before arriving in the UAE while close contact isolation rules have also been relaxed.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) announced that from February 26 passengers who have the approved QR code proving their vaccination status will no longer have to have a PCR test prior to arrival. Unvaccinated passengers will still need to have a negative PCR test within 48 hours of arrival.
NCEMA also announced that while mask-wearing is mandatory in public indoor spaces it was now optional outdoors.
In Dubai, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management also announced that the wearing of masks continues to be mandatory in all public indoor venues in the emirate, while it is optional in outdoor areas.
The Ministry of Health said on Sunday that 622 new cases of Covid had been detected in the previous 24 hours alongside 1,665 recoveries and no further deaths.
Expo organisers added: “Health and safety remains a key priority, with stringent rules in place across the site. All Expo visitors ages 18 and above must show either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result taken within the previous 72 hours, while on-site measures include mask-wearing for visitors, staff and participants, and PCR testing facilities for Country Pavilion staff, frontline workers, and entertainers.”
Expo 2020 Dubai continues to run until the end of March.
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