Dubai has expanded its smart parking network as Parkin officially introduced paid parking in Wasl Village. The move is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve traffic management and streamline parking access in busy residential and commercial areas.

Clear signboards have now been installed across Wasl Village to help drivers easily identify paid parking zones. Visitors and residents can park with flexible hourly tariffs starting from Dh2 for 30 minutes, while four hours of parking costs Dh16. Parking services in the area operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing convenient access for visitors at any time.

For regular users, Parkin has also introduced subscription packages. Drivers can opt for Dh900 for three months, Dh1,800 for six months, or Dh3,600 for a full year, offering a convenient option for those who frequently park in the area.

However, during Ramadan, special parking timings apply. Paid parking will be active Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm and 8pm to midnight, while free parking is available daily between 6pm and 8pm as well as on Sundays and public holidays.

Authorities have urged motorists to follow parking signage, respect designated zones, and ensure payments are made to avoid fines. The initiative is expected to improve traffic flow and parking availability across one of Dubai’s growing residential communities.

Authorities in the UAE have warned residents against sharing rumours, false information, or misleading content online, stressing that such actions are illegal and can result in serious penalties.

Dubai Police reminded residents that posting or forwarding content that contradicts official announcements or spreads misinformation is strictly prohibited. The authority added that sharing misleading posts that could cause public panic or threaten safety, security, or public health is considered a criminal offence.

Violators may face imprisonment for at least two years and fines starting at Dh200,000, according to authorities.

Residents must verify information

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has also urged residents to be cautious when sharing information online, especially during sensitive situations.

Officials noted that information spreads quickly during times of tension and not all circulating news may be accurate. Residents are advised to verify the source of any information before sharing it and rely only on updates from official government channels.

Sharing photos and videos of accident sites

UAE Attorney General Hamid Saif Al Shamsi warned residents against photographing or sharing images and videos of accident scenes or damage caused by falling debris.

Such content can create unnecessary panic and may give a misleading impression of the country’s safety conditions.

Al Shamsi stressed that public safety institutions across the UAE continue to operate effectively and daily life remains stable nationwide.

What does the UAE law say?

Spreading rumours or unverified information is a criminal offence under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrime.

Under Article 52 of the law, anyone who publishes or republishes false or misleading information that contradicts official announcements or harms public security can face:

• Up to two years in prison
• Fines of up to Dh200,000

Authorities reminded residents that even reposting or forwarding false information can lead to legal consequences, and urged the public to act responsibly when using social media.

Expats living in the UAE can now complete their medical fitness test for residency visa renewal from home, thanks to a new service launched by Emirates Health Services (EHS).

The new initiative, called “Residency Renewal from Home,” allows residents to complete the mandatory medical screening without visiting medical fitness centres.

Instead, a specialised medical team visits the applicant’s home at a scheduled time to conduct the required tests.

How to book home appointment

Under the new service, once a resident books an appointment, a medical team from Wiqayati preventive health centres visits their home to carry out the medical examination.

The tests are conducted following approved health procedures and strict safety standards to ensure accurate results.

After the screening is completed, residents will receive their medical fitness results through SMS or email. They can then continue their residency visa renewal process online through official government channels.

Who can use this service?

The home medical screening service is currently available only for residency visa renewal.

It is especially helpful for residents who:

• Prefer completing government procedures from home
• Have mobility challenges
• Have busy schedules and limited time to visit medical centres

By allowing medical tests to be done at home, authorities aim to make the residency renewal process faster and easier, improve customer experience and reduce crowding at medical fitness centres

The initiative also supports the UAE’s vision of smart healthcare services and a better quality of life for residents.