Students, teachers and employees across the UAE are set for a long weekend after authorities confirmed Monday, June 15, as a public holiday to mark the Hijri New Year.

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that schools, universities and early childhood centres will be closed on June 15, with classes resuming on Tuesday, June 16.

Earlier, the UAE government confirmed the same date as an official holiday for both public and private sector employees, in line with the country’s approved 2026 holiday calendar.

For most residents, the holiday creates a three-day weekend. In Sharjah, where government employees and students follow a four-day workweek, the public holiday extends the break to four days.

The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar and falls on the first day of Muharram, the calendar’s opening month. The exact start of Muharram is determined through official moon-sighting procedures.

With the holiday falling on a Monday, many residents can look forward to an extended break before normal work and school schedules resume on June 16.

Ras Al Khaimah residents and visitors can now ride the emirate’s first electric public bus following the launch of the upgraded Purple Route, which also offers free travel during its first month of operation.

Introduced by the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), the revamped route officially entered service on June 3 and forms part of the emirate’s push towards smarter and more sustainable transport solutions.

The upgraded Purple Route now covers an additional 14 kilometres and connects key destinations between Al Nakheel and Manar Mall, including hospitals, government centres, educational institutions and residential communities.

A major highlight of the launch is the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah’s first electric bus, supporting RAKTA’s plans to expand environmentally friendly transportation and reduce emissions across the public transport network.

The service operates 12 daily trips under an enhanced schedule designed to improve reliability, reduce waiting times and make commuting easier for passengers.

The Purple Route is one of five public bus routes operating across the emirate. With the latest expansion, Ras Al Khaimah’s public transport network now spans 215 kilometres, supporting the authority’s goal of increasing urban transport coverage to 65 per cent by 2026.

Passengers can also use the Sayer app to plan journeys, check schedules and track buses in real time.

The UAE’s annual midday work ban will come into effect on June 15, with authorities once again restricting outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day to safeguard workers from extreme summer temperatures.

The regulation prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air locations between 12:30pm and 3pm daily, and will remain in force until September 15.

Now in its 22nd consecutive year, the initiative reflects the UAE’s ongoing commitment to workplace safety and employee wellbeing, particularly during the peak summer season when heat-related health risks increase significantly.

Under the rules, employers must provide suitable shaded rest areas for workers during break periods. Companies are also required to ensure access to drinking water, hydration supplies and cooling equipment such as fans to help protect workers from heat stress.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation stated that limited exemptions will apply to certain activities where work cannot be postponed due to technical or operational requirements.

These include asphalt paving, concrete pouring and emergency maintenance work necessary to restore essential public services such as water, electricity and traffic systems. Projects requiring special government permits because of their impact on public infrastructure or movement may also be exempt.

Authorities warned that companies failing to comply with the regulations could face fines of Dh5,000 per worker found in violation, with total penalties reaching up to Dh50,000 for multiple offences.

The ministry highlighted the strong compliance levels achieved in previous years, noting that 99 per cent of companies adhered to the regulations during last year’s Heat Stress Protection campaign.

As part of broader efforts to support outdoor workers, more than 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations equipped with essential amenities were made available to delivery riders across the country.

Officials urged businesses to continue prioritising worker safety and strictly follow the summer regulations to help reduce heat-related illnesses and maintain a safe working environment throughout the season.