Non-Pharmaceutical Intervention measures in the UAE – What Next?

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries deployed various efficient vaccination strategies to attain herd immunity among residents. As a result, these countries have growing optimism about easing non-pharmaceutical restrictions such as social distancing and mask usage. Based on data provided by WHO and using UAE-specific data (November 2021) and based on infection prevalence rates and given high vaccination percentages, this study extends a NetLogo simulation model to assess the possibility of easing social distance and mask usage restrictions. It also examines the effect of easing these restrictions on the number of infections among the population in (UAE) in general and for those under 18. The study shows that if either one of these restrictions were lifted, there would be a controllable increase in infection cases among the general population and population younger than 18. If both restrictions were eased, then the increase of infection would be more but still manageable. The study recommends ease of restriction, at least for mask usage, for the younger population less than 18. This study provides timely information to help policymakers make better decisions on enforcing or easing either of these interventions.