ismail@khaleejtimes.com Filed on March 21, 2020 | Last updated on March 21, 2020 at 07.46 am

The UAE law on communicable diseases came into effect in 2014.

A person caught deliberately spreading coronavirus in the UAE could face up to five years in prison and a fine of Dh50,000 to Dh100,000, according to the law.

The UAE law on communicable diseases, which came into effect in 2014, criminalises intentional behaviours that result in spreading an infection to others.

And the penalty for intentionally infecting another person is a jail sentence of up to five years and or a fine not less than Dh50,000 and not more than Dh100,000.

The law also obliges members of the public to report anyone suspected of suffering from a communicable disease or died from the same and imposes a three-years-jail sentence or fine if not more than Dh10,000 to the violators.

Earlier this week, UAE's Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, urged people to comply with a series of precautionary measures put in place by UAE authorities, including the mandatory self-isolation for travellers returning to the country, to contain and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

He noted that non-compliance with these measures is a punishable crime because it puts the health of others at risk.

Al Shamsi also warned people against spreading rumours or sharing incorrect information, both deliberately or out of ignorance stressing that they would face legal consequences.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com