The UAE is prepared for any scenario to ensure case numbers do not continue to rise, officials said on Thursday. In an interview with Al Emarat TV, Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, said the current increase in daily infections was an indication of complacency from the public and, though it is hoped that cases will decrease again, reinstating a stay-home order in specific areas was possible. "It is a chain, if we could break this chain, we would go back to the previous phase where there were fewer cases and more recoveries," he said. "If we break this chain [of infections], we go back to having control over the situation. “We are ready for any scenario. If there came a reason for taking any further measures, we would not hesitate to do so." Asked directly if the number of daily infections rising could prompt the return of the nightly national disinfection programme, Dr Al Dhaheri said: "Yes. If we found that the number of cases is increasing in a specific area, we could." The disinfection drive, which began in March, saw the spray of sanitising mist over the country's public areas each night. The programme required everyone to stay at home between 8pm and 6am - during Ramadan this changed to 10pm and 6am - so the work could be carried out. Residents and Emiratis could only leave home during that time in case of absolute necessity and all shops, except supermarkets and pharmacies, were closed. The stay-home order was lifted in late June. "Today we say these figures are a result of complacency among the public, rather than a phenomenon that is widespread across the country," said Dr Al Dhaheri. He said there would be a renewed effort to clamp down on those who breach safety measures designed to protect themselves and others. Currently, fines for non-compliance range between Dh3,000 for not wearing a face mask or physical distancing, to Dh50,000 for not adhering to mandated home quarantine. Dr Al Dhaheri said he hoped this would be enough to encourage people to be vigilant again and avoid authorities having to take further measures. "If we put further measures in place, this decision will be made according to studies, scenarios and data," he said. Dr Al Dhaheri urged the public to be more responsible, describing compliance with safety measures as a national duty for all. On Thursday, the UAE recorded 461 new cases of Covid-19 – the fourth consecutive increase in daily infections. The additions took the number of cases across the country to 65,802. Health officials warned the Emirates could return to figures seen in March or April, when cases were rapidly rising each day. Dr Adil Sajwani, a family medicine specialist at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, told <em>The National </em>the increase in cases was a setback for the UAE but the situation could be turned around if there was greater compliance with safety measures. “People are taking things very carelessly,” he said. “Just yesterday we saw the number of cases increase by something like 200 or 300, which means cases are doubling in two or three days." He said safety measures were being upheld in public places but more commitment was needed from people at home. "In this second wave, if we don't adhere to measures, people only have themselves to blame because the government has been and is still doing everything it can to maintain the safety of everyone."
