Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: 552 new cases confirmed; labour accommodations allowed at work sites; restrictions eased in Dubai

Here's a round-up of all the latest developments you need to be aware of:
UAE announces 552 new cases, 100 recoveries, 7 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday announced 552 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus and 100 cases of recovery. As many as 27,000 more Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the country, the ministry added, which revealed the new cases. The new cases identified are undergoing treatment.
Restrictions eased, but danger still persists

The Dubai Government had eased some restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19 after assessing the results, two top officials said on Thursday.  "We have eased some restrictions and allowed people to move around in Dubai. At every stage, we assess the situation and based on the results, we take further steps. We are yet to overcome the danger stage," said Lt-Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police.
He said this during a virtual Press conference organised by the Dubai Media Office, which was also attended by Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of the Dubai Economy.  
Economic situation  
Commenting on when the economic situation in Dubai would go back to normal, Al Qamzi said the priority has been to raise awareness in the earlier stages. "The Dubai Economy took many stringent measures on initial days and adherence was at 80 per cent," he said.
Building sites in UAE can now house workers
Contracting firms have been allowed to set up labour accommodations at their work sites, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) said on Thursday.
The accommodations must have enough space for workers to ensure social distancing. They will ensure the continuity of construction work when transportation of workers has been banned between emirates in the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The ministry said firms that want to build labour accommodations at work sites should stick to the regulations set by the local bodies.
Meet people who ensure workers follow govt's hygiene guidelines
While thousands of the UAE's blue-collar workers have received directives and measures from the government and their employers on how to protect themselves from covid-19, it is the supervisors and camp bosses at labour accommodations who take the lead in ensuring worker compliance to those directives. Like the head member of a family, these managers and supervisors are connected with the workers on both personal and professional levels and see to it that they are all safe, healthy and happy. Most of the managers said creating a culture of respect, love, trust, togetherness and fun helps in earning the trust of the workers and eases the process of getting the latter to adhere to any new guidelines as they consider them their well-wishers.

50,000 Indians e-register to go home
At least 50,000 Indian citizens have registered on the online portal that collects data of those who wish to travel home amid the Covid-19 pandemic in less than 24 hours since its launch late Wednesday night. Following the surge in applications, the Consulate-General of India in Dubai has urged residents not to rush to register as the database will be up for several days. Since its border closure on March 22, tens of thousands of Indian citizens are stranded overseas, especially in the GCC.
153,660 Keralites in UAE wish to return: Kerala CM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday that a total of 353,468 Keralites in 201 countries have registered on the Norka-Roots portal to return as and when the lockdown ends.  
A majority of this is from Middle East countries. It includes 153,660 from the UAE, Saudi Arabia (47,268), the UK (2,112), the USA (1,895) and Ukraine (1,864).
312 special flights repatriate 37,500 people from Dubai

Dubai Airports on Thursday said 37,469 people of different nationalities - including Emiratis - returned to their homes safely with the help of UAE authorities and their embassies.
It said 54 airlines operated 312 repatriation flights as normal passenger flights remain suspended temporarily in order to contain the spread of coronavirus
Police receive half-a-million calls in one month
A total of 553,406 phone calls were attended by the Command and Control Centre of the Dubai Police during the National Sterilisation Programme, a top official has said.
Colonel Turki bin Faris, director of the centre, said the emergency number 999 received 432,477 calls while 901 (non-emergency number) received 120,960 calls from 26 March to 28 April.
A scheme that helps workers in tough times

When a former Dubai expatriate launched a one-of its kind low-cost insurance scheme in 2018, little did he know that his good intentions to help the blue-collar workers in their times of need would benefit many in these tough times. The Emergency travel assistance (ETA) scheme, which is currently in its second year, has around 100,000 registered users across the UAE. Before the Covid-related travel restrictions, several workers successfully claimed the benefits of this scheme to be with their families during times of emergency back in their home countries, which was the key intention behind the scheme.
Physical and mental health key to disease prevention: Experts
Sound health practices, both in physical and psychological levels, are important in disease prevention, experts have said. In the first session of Sharjah Ramadan Majlis organised by the Sharjah Press Club on Instagram, experts discussed the importance of 'healthy lifestyles and disease prevention'. The session featured Brig Dr Ali Singel, health adviser to the Dubai Police, and Dr Hossam Al Tatari, consultant, paediatrics, infectious diseases and immunology at the Heart Medical Centre in Al Ain. The session was moderated by Ahmed Sultan, anchor and television host from the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. The Sharjah Press Club will host the second session of the Ramadan Majlis on May 5 at 10pm on the role of the media in times of crisis. Veteran Omani media figure Khaled Al Zadjali and Egyptian journalist and television host Lamis Elhadidy will take part in the discussion.
Deceased businessman's family flies to India

Deceased Indian businessman Joy Arakkal's family members have become the first passengers to land in India amid the nation-wide Covid-19 lockdown which only ends on May 3.
Community leaders and social workers working closely with the family confirmed that Arakkal's mortal remains, which was accompanied by his wife Celine and children Arun and Ashley, took off from Dubai at 3.45pm on Thursday. The chartered flight landed in Kozhikode, India on Thursday night.  The funeral will be held as per WHO Covid-19 protocols and will only be attended by his close family members, said Joy's brother Johny in a written statement. 
100 patrols deployed to ensure social distancing
More than 100 patrols have been deployed in Ras Al Khaimah to ensure public safety and security throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The patrols are deployed across the emirate to ensure public's adherence to restricted movement from 10pm to 6am. Also tasked with raising awareness, the patrols would be reminding people to maintain social distancing in all markets and public facilities. Wearing masks and gloves is also a must when going out, he pointed out.
No more than three passengers can be travelling in one vehicle.
It's the time to kick the habit
All smokers, kick that butt now! It has been found that many coronavirus patients who experienced complications were smokers. This was revealed by Brigadier Dr Ali Singel, general health adviser for Dubai Police, during a briefing on Covid-19 update on Monday. Medical experts support this, saying that smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 in many ways. The act of smoking increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth as fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips.