Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: A number of major policy changes will come into effect across the UAE from January 1, 2026, with several taking effect from the very first day, according to Gulf News. Most private schools in Dubai will finish much earlier on Fridays from 2026, following changes to the nationwide Friday prayer schedule. Sugary drinks in the UAE will be taxed under a new system, potentially affecting prices.
Arriving at Dubai International Airport could soon be much faster for some passengers. Dubai Airports announced in November that its Red Carpet service, currently available for Business Class departures, will be extended to arriving passengers at Terminal 3 in the next two months (rollout expected by January 2026).
The UAE’s plastic restrictions will widen again next year as part of its national sustainability strategy. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that from January 1, 2026, the country will expand its ban on single-use plastic products under the second phase of Ministerial Decision No. 380 of 2022. Dubai will implement the final phase of its single-use plastic ban from January 1, 2026, further tightening restrictions across the emirate.
