The United Arab Emirates has threatened to jail people who make fun of its anti-Covid measures after mocking photos and videos appeared online, AFP reports.

Federal prosecutors said social media users could be punished under new laws which allow at least two years' jail and 200,000 AED ($54,000) fines for sharing misleading information during a pandemic.

The warning followed “the recent circulation of photos and videos on social media... accompanied by comments and songs mocking the precautionary measures and calling on others to flout them”, the Federal Emergency Crisis and Disasters Prosecution said in a statement.