A new public safety law issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will come into effect on June 1, 2026, establishing a comprehensive legal framework aimed at strengthening safety standards across the emirate.

The legislation seeks to protect lives and property, reduce accidents and injuries, and ensure public services and products meet strict safety standards in line with international best practices.

Here is a breakdown of what the new law means for residents, businesses and visitors.

Who will oversee public safety in Dubai?

The law assigns Dubai Municipality, specifically its Environment, Health and Safety Agency, the responsibility of regulating and overseeing public safety across the emirate in coordination with relevant authorities.

The agency will have clearly defined powers to monitor compliance, enforce regulations and address violations.

New requirements for venues and events

Under the law, venues and event organisers must meet several safety requirements, including:

• Ensuring adequate lighting and ventilation
• Providing safe entry and exit points
• Limiting crowd capacity to prevent overcrowding
• Controlling noise levels to avoid hearing hazards

They must also install or provide:

• Firefighting equipment
• Emergency evacuation systems
• First-aid supplies
• Trained safety supervisors
• Alarm systems and safety signage
• A public safety management plan

Safety rules for buildings, equipment and beaches

The law also introduces safety standards for:

• Maintenance work in inhabited buildings and homes
• Electrical devices and equipment
• Swimming pools and beaches

Property owners, operators and service providers must comply with the regulations and guidelines issued by authorities to ensure public safety.

What responsibilities do residents have?

Residents and visitors are required to follow safety procedures and guidelines in public spaces and venues. This includes:

• Following safety instructions and evacuation procedures
• Cooperating with public safety supervisors
• Using equipment, tools and machines responsibly
• Observing designated swimming hours at beaches
• Avoiding restricted or staff-only areas

Handling explosives, fireworks, toxic or flammable materials without authorisation is also prohibited under the law.

Other prohibited actions

The legislation also bans several unsafe practices, including:

• Placing dangerous materials in waste containers
• Tampering with waste bins, sewer pipes or stormwater drains
• Selling or using unsafe tools or devices that do not meet public safety standards

Products intended for human use, education or entertainment must also include clear safety instructions in both Arabic and English.

What are the penalties for violations?

Anyone who violates the law or related regulations may face fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh1 million. Repeat offences within one year could result in fines of up to Dh2 million.

Authorities designated by Dubai Municipality will have judicial enforcement powers to document violations, issue reports and involve the police when necessary.

Can people appeal penalties?

The law allows affected individuals or entities to submit a written appeal within 10 working days after being notified of a decision or penalty.

Appeals will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the municipality, with a final decision issued within 30 days.

When will the law take effect?

The new public safety law will take effect on June 1, 2026. Entities affected by the legislation will have two years to comply, with a possible one-time extension approved by the Executive Council of Dubai based on recommendations from Dubai Municipality.

Public parking solutions provider Parkin has urged residents to remain vigilant against online scams and take steps to protect their digital identity.

In a recent advisory, the company warned users not to share personal information through suspicious messages or phone calls. Officials stressed that legitimate organisations will never ask customers to log in to their accounts or disclose confidential details through unsolicited communications.

The warning comes amid a rise in cyber fraud attempts targeting residents across the UAE.

Do not share sensitive information

Parkin advised residents to avoid responding to requests for personal details, passwords, or verification codes, especially when they come from unknown or unverified sources. Fraudsters often pose as representatives of official services in an attempt to gain access to accounts.

Residents are encouraged to verify the authenticity of any message or call before taking action.

Verify sources and report suspicious activity

The company also urged the public to check the official source of communications and report any suspicious activity through legitimate channels.

Authorities in the UAE have repeatedly warned residents about online scams, fake calls and phishing messages, which attempt to trick people into sharing sensitive information.

Cybersecurity experts recommend staying cautious and avoiding links or login requests sent through unfamiliar messages.

Residents who receive suspicious communications should ignore the request and report it to the relevant authorities.

Major UAE airlines have confirmed that flight operations to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB) have resumed following regional airspace restrictions.

flydubai announced in a travel update on Saturday, March 7, that flights are operating, stressing that passenger safety remains its top priority.

The airline, however, urged travellers not to go to the airport without a confirmed booking, advising passengers to check their flight status for updates regularly.

DXB operations restart

Flights are gradually resuming at Dubai International Airport after a temporary partial closure of UAE airspace introduced as a precaution due to regional security developments.

Travellers connecting through Dubai on the flydubai network will only be accepted if their connecting flight is operating.

Passengers who originally booked flights between February 28 and March 31 can rebook their travel within 30 days of their original date with no penalty charges.

Emirates gradually restoring global network

Emirates is also returning to normal operations.

Currently flying to 84 global destinations, Emirates has already transported tens of thousands of passengers out of Dubai in recent days.

According to the airline: “Following the partial re-opening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule while working to restore full network operations.”

The airline expects to return to 100% of its global network within the coming days, depending on airspace availability and operational requirements.

Emirates Passenger Options

Passengers booked between February 28 and March 31 can:

• Rebook flights to the same destination before April 30
• Request a refund if they no longer wish to travel

Passengers who booked through travel agents should contact their agents directly.

Etihad flight schedule

Etihad Airways has announced a limited flight schedule between March 6 and March 19.

Flights will operate between Abu Dhabi and several major international destinations including:

• London
• New York
• Paris
• Sydney
• Mumbai
• Delhi
• Singapore
• Bangkok
• Toronto
• Tokyo

Etihad confirmed that passengers with previous bookings will be accommodated as soon as possible.

The airline also advised travellers to check flight status before heading to the airport and ensure their contact details are updated in bookings.

Passengers holding Etihad tickets issued before February 28, with travel dates until March 21, can rebook flights free of charge until May 15.

Warning about fake airline accounts

Etihad also warned travellers about scam social media accounts impersonating the airline.

The airline confirmed its only official X (Twitter) accounts are:

• @Etihad
• @EtihadHelp

Passengers are reminded that the airline never requests sensitive information through social media messages.

Air Arabia resumes limited flights

Air Arabia has also resumed limited flights to and from the UAE.

Passengers whose flights were cancelled can:

• Rebook their journey
• Request a refund if eligible

Confirmed passengers will receive email or SMS notifications from the airline.

Travel advice for passengers

All UAE airlines are urging travellers to follow these important guidelines:

• Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed booking
• Check flight status online before leaving for the airport
• Keep contact details updated in airline bookings
• Follow airline instructions regarding rebooking or refunds

Airlines emphasised that passenger and crew safety remains the highest priority while operations gradually return to normal.