Sun 07 June 2020:
Abu Dhabi police said on Sunday that dumping used face masks or gloves on public streets would incur a fine of 1,000 dirhams ($272) and six traffic points.
Face masks are currently mandatory in the UAE as a safeguard against the spread of coronavirus. Many establishments also require customers to wear latex or plastic gloves.
In a statement carried by the official Emirates News Agency (WAM), Abu Dhabi Police noted that dumping masks and gloves had “hazardous health and environmental risks” for “the community as a whole.”
In Abu Dhabi, all members of the public are required to wear masks outside the home, with those failing to adhere to the measure risking a Dh3,000 fine.
Many supermarkets also require shoppers to don gloves when inside their premises.
Concerns have been raised across the globe over the environmental impact of a mountain of masks and gloves being dumped in public areas as well as in rivers and oceans.
“The UAE government continues to make efforts to protect all citizens and residents, and to adopt a series of decisions to alleviate the various pivotal sectors. We have taken a proactive approach in the country to tackle the emerging coronavirus and expand the scope of tests nationwide, and we have exceeded 2.5 million tests,” said Dr. Amna al-Dahhak, official Spokesperson for the UAE government, Assistant Undersecretary for the Welfare and Activities Sector at the Ministry of Education, on Saturday.
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