Combating coronavirus: UAE residents asked to avoid Eid invitations, gatherings to stop spread of Covid-19

All families are urged to avoid gatherings and inviting relatives and friends over for greetings and buffets during Eid Al Fitr this year, a senior official said.
During the regular virtual press briefing held on Saturday, Dr Amna Al Dahhak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE government, called on all families and members of the community to avoid the social visits tradition this year as Eid Al Fitr comes under the exceptional circumstances imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Avoiding crowds and keeping social distancing remain a must. We advise the community to avoid these habits and traditions and skip them this year."
Dr Al Shamsi revealed that 35,735 new tests detected 796 new Covid-19 cases.
"The total number of registered cases is now 22,627. With the 603 new recoveries, the total recoveries have increased to 7,931. Four death cases take the toll to 214."
As many as 14,482 Covid-19 infected people of different nationalities in UAE are still receiving proper treatment and medical care.
Dr Al Shamsi gave an example- scenario of a 40-member family who would meet at the house of the grandfather on the first day of Eid, in disregard of the safety measures rules.
"The family has elderly members and there could be two among them with chronic disease, Asthma for instance. If one of the gathered group has Covid-19 but is asymptomatic, he/she would infect all the others because of the direct contact-handshaking and greetings.
"Those 40 people who would become infected would give the virus to others after Eid break.
"And this is only one of many possible scenarios that could take place if people did not stick to the #Stayhome rule.
Dr Al Shamsi stressed on the need that everybody shares the responsibility and commitment to keep the society safe from the coronavirus. "Being aware of the risks is the responsibility of every individual and every family."
mary@khaleejtimes.com