UAE sets $5,500 fines for spreading unauthorised coronavirus information

The United Arab Emirates will fine people up to 20,000 dirhams ($5,500) if they spread coronavirus information that conflicts with official statements, state news agency WAM said on Saturday.

"It is forbidden for any individual to publish, re-publish or circulate medical information or guidance which is false, misleading or which hasn't been announced officially... using print, audiovisual or social media, or online websites or any other way of publication or circulation," WAM reported, citing the government directive.

It wasn't clear if journalists and media professionals are considered among those restricted in the directive.

The UAE has reported 6,302 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 37 deaths. It has the second-highest infection count in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia, where the total number of infections has surpassed 22,500, with more than 140 deaths.

The UAE has imposed harsh measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, including a ban on all social gatherings, including weddings.

Border crossings have been closed, along with shopping malls, entertainment centres, schools and any other businesses deemed "non-essential". Public transport has been suspended. 

The Emirati directive on Saturday comes as some countries are imposing restrictions on media in the region.

Iraqi authorities this month suspended Reuters' licence and fined it 25 million Iraqi dinars ($21,000) over publishing a report suggesting that Iraq was hiding the extent of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The Iraqi government called the report "deliberate misinformation".