A round-up of major developments related to Covid-19 across the country.
Published: Thu 6 Aug 2020, 9:30 AM
Updated: Thu 6 Aug 2020, 4:53 PM
Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
UAE reports 254 Covid-19 cases, 295 recoveries, 2 deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 254 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 295 recoveries. Two deaths were also reported. The country's Covid-19 mortality rate of 0.6 per cent is considerably lower than the global average of 3.7 per cent, it was revealed yesterday. Over 90 per cent of infected patients recover, as opposed to a global recovery rate of 58 per cent. Doctors have hailed the UAE's mass testing drive as it reported no Covid-19 fatality for the fourth day straight on Tuesday. Health experts said mass screenings at high-density areas have helped halt the spread of the virus. The doctor also said that anywhere between 40,000 to 50,000 tests are conducted daily.
UAE vaccine volunteers exempted from 'non-trial Covid-19 tests'
Volunteers of a Covid-19 vaccine trial underway in the UAE will be exempted from all "non-trial virus tests", the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced. Those taking part in the world's first phase III clinical trial of the Covid-19 inactivated vaccine can identify themselves using the UAE's contact tracing app AlHosn. The app's social media team said on Wednesday that they were working on updating the app to display a "volunteering tag as part of the user's identity". The Abu Dhabi Media Office tweeted that volunteers can benefit from the "exemptions during all stages of the trials". A top Abu Dhabi health official referred to this exemption as he received the second shot of the vaccine on Wednesday.
Dubai students can opt for distance learning in new term
Parents who are not comfortable sending their children to Dubai schools in the new academic year can opt for their wards to continue distance learning, Khaleej Times can reveal. Students were earlier required to receive some form of in-class learning once classes resume from August 30. In a recent circular sent to school principals, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said, "While face-to-face learning remains the preferred education model, we understand that different parents have different views, especially in the first phases of re-opening. As a temporary measure, schools can and should provide 100 per cent distance learning provision in the new academic year to parents who request it. This is intended to help ease parents and children into an eventual return to face-to-face learning.
'Early decision' expected on UAE entry of Indians on all visa categories: Envoy
An 'early decision' is expected on allowing all categories of valid visa holders to travel from India to the UAE, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE has said. Pavan Kapoor announced on his Twitter handle on Wednesday: "Since the UAE has recently started issuing new visas, we have recommended to authorities in India to consider allowing Indians with valid visas to travel to the UAE. We are hopeful for an early decision." Consul-General of India in Dubai Dr Aman Puri said once revised, those with families in the UAE and those with new residency visas that have not yet been stamped into the passports will be allowed to travel into the UAE. However, the exception does not extend to those planning to travel for the purpose of 'seeking jobs', said Dr Puri.
Indian mission in Dubai receives over 750 visa fine waiver applications
The Consulate General of India in Dubai has received over 750 overstay fine waiver applications, following the announcement of the scheme on July 23, Khaleej Times has learnt. Out of which (barring two-three applications) a total of 146 applications have been processed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), said Neeraj Agarwal, Consul - Press, Information, and Culture. Indian nationals wishing to avail the ongoing overstay fine waiver scheme provided by the government of UAE were advised to submit their applications to Indian diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last week. The scheme was made available to those whose residency and visit visas holders expired before March 1.
Abu Dhabi completes 365,000 hours of sterilisation
As part of its efforts to fight the spread of Covid-19, Abu Dhabi has carried out a total of 365,000 hours of sterilisation. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) led the operations for the municipalities of Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra and in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Centre for Waste Management (Tadweer). Equipped with high-tech tools including self-driving robots, more than 1,182 workers and engineers worked together to sanitise a stretch of 23,000km. More than 48,000 vehicles, including over 6,000 taxis and 627 buses, were also sterilised to transport Covid-19 patients. Throughout the sterilisation programme, more than 4.5 million litres of water were used per day, along with 14,000 litres of disinfectants.
Senior Abu Dhabi health officials get second shot of Covid-19 inactivated vaccine
Abu Dhabi's senior health officials, who were among the very first volunteers, have now received the second shot of the Covid-19 inactivated vaccine as the 4Humanity Phase III clinical trials build momentum in the UAE. Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and the Department's Acting Undersecretary, Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, had been the first two volunteers to receive shots in the trials that officially commenced on July 16. Both officials have displayed no side effects and have demonstrated strong antibody and robust immune responses to the trials to date following expert medical supervision. The interim reports for the two officials, which adheres to strict monitoring protocols, including face-to-face medical examinations by day three and day eight after the first shot, and a telephone follow-up by day seven and again on day 14, have revealed that both the inaugural volunteers have responded very positively to date.
Dubai to allow weddings, live concerts soon
Dubai will soon allow indoor and outdoor events, including weddings and live concerts, with strict safety measures in place. A recent circular issued by the Dubai government lays down the rules for such functions. Weddings in the city will see limitations in terms of capacity, keeping in mind the scale of the set-up, according to the circular. Each table must be at least two metres apart, with a maximum of four guests per table. In case they belong to the same group, a maximum of 10 people can be seated together. Entry and exit points ought to be clearly marked and sanitisers will need to be provided at the venue. All gifts for the bride and groom will need to be checked and sanitised by the venue operator, and individuals will have to refrain from customary greetings that demand physical proximity.
UAE vaccine trials now open to all residents, with second centre set up in Sharjah
The ongoing Covid-19 vaccine trial in Abu Dhabi is now open to all residents across the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has announced as it set up a centre for the 4Humanity programme in Sharjah. Sharjah's Al Qarayen Health Centre has been officially assigned as the first centre outside Abu Dhabi to register, screen and test volunteers wishing to participate in the world's first Phase III clinical trials of an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine, the ministry said on Wednesday. The move has been taken in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) and G42 Healthcare, which are leading the clinical trial operations that started last month. Since the programme's launch, thousands have come forward to volunteer.
Al Ain Zoo to reopen with safety measures
Al Ain Zoo will reopen to visitors, starting August 6, according to an update from the zoo management. The establishment has confirmed that it will resume operations from Thursday to Saturday, from 9am to 9pm - and that the reopening includes the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre too. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo, said: "The opening of the zoo coincides with a return to normal life, with the zoo taking all the precautions stipulated by competent authorities." He added that no more than 1,800 visitors per day would be permitted entry to the zoo, while the main theatre of the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre would be able to receive no more than 53 visitors in order to ensure the safety of all.
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