Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: How to offer Eid prayers at home; Salman Khan's message for Indian expats; Covid-19 cases in kids rising; UAE flights for stranded residents

Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
UAE reports 731 new cases, 581 recoveries, 6 deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday announced 731 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, as well as 581 recoveries.The ministry also announced that 40,000 new Covid-19 tests had been conducted. Six new deaths from the infection were also announced today. The ministry, which has conducted over 1.5 million Covid-19 tests across the country, has affirmed its aim to further expand the scope of testing to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. It has also called on the public to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to social distancing protocols and preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of all.
 
Muslims brace for first #StayHome Eid in UAE
As the UAE authorities have asked all residents to avoid gatherings, it is clear that - for the first time - it's going to be a #StayHome Eid. But experts say that although it will be different, the celebration will be just as meaningful. It is important to remember that the Eid prayer can be performed at home either individually or with family members under the sane roof, said Dr Mohammed Eyada Ayoub Alkobaisi, a Grand Mufti with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai. Dr Alkobaisi said this prayer is a highly recommended Sunnah or practice urged by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). "Eid Prayer must be performed openly, unless we are prevented for an acceptable reason, such as fear for self, wellbeing, property, etc." Under the current circumstances, prayers can be offered from home, he said. But what the faithful will likely miss is listening to the khutbah or the sermon of Eid with a crowd. The sight of people pouring out into the streets and coming together for prayer and worship would not be unfolding this time.
 
Full compliance with Covid-19 guidelines in Dubai for third straight day
Dubai Economy on Sunday announced that the local retail sector remains fully compliant with Covid-19 precautionary and safety measures. Daily inspections carried out by Dubai Economy's inspectors found all 240 commercial outlets compliant. Hence, no shop was issued fine and warning or was shut down by the authorities. It was the third consecutive day that the all the inspected outlets were found fully compliant with the guidelines. Dubai Economy also called on consumers to report any non-compliance to the Covid-19 precautionary guidelines via the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google, and Huawei stores, by calling 600545555, or on the Consumerrights.ae website.
 
Covid-19 cases among children are rising, warn UAE doctors
Doctors in the UAE are warning parents to take care of their children as the percentage of kids with coronavirus is gradually increasing. Medics are urging elders to pay particular attention to their children's abdominal symptoms or nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. These symptoms are particularly prominent in kids and in many cases can be attributed to community and intra family transmission. "A baby came in with mild symptoms and remained in stable condition throughout her stay in the hospital. At the beginning of the outbreak, it seemed that the number of infected children was not high. However, we now see an increase. At this point it is believed that children are at the same risk of acquiring the Covid-19 virus as adults, but luckily their symptoms are milder," said Dr Yasser El Nakhlawi, American board-certified paediatrics consultant at Al Zahra Hospital.
 
Etihad brings family together, father in UAE meets baby for first time
It was an impatient wait for Abdulmajid Koutrach at the arrival section of the Abu Dhabi airport. Not only was he going to meet his wife and son after four months, he was going to see his newborn baby for the first time. Etihad, the national airline of the UAE, has repatriated Abdulmajid's wife Farah Oubed along with their young son Adam and newborn baby Ahmad, who were stranded abroad as a result of the global lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Koutrach said: "I am truly grateful to the UAE government and Etihad Airways for bringing my precious family back to our home in the UAE. It was very hard to be away from them for so long due to the coronavirus crisis and I'm the happiest man alive to see my beautiful wife Farah and our oldest son Adam again, and especially to meet my new son Ahmad for the very first time."
 
Abu Dhabi enrolls security guards in the war against Covid
Security guards at commercial and residential buildings in Abu Dhabi have been told to report visitors and residents of the premises who show symptoms of coronavirus. The Abu Dhabi City Municipality issued the order on Saturday after handing out 200 thermal scanners to security guards at buildings in Al Dana area of downtown Abu Dhabi. Municipal officials said they also gave out posters printed in Arabic, English, Urdu, Filipino and Chinese, detailing Covid-19 precautionary measures and the symptoms of the virus so as to stymie its spread in the community. Contact numbers of relevant authorities have been provided to the security guards in each building so they can report those building visitors and residents who show symptoms or suspected cases of Covid-19.
 
Covid-19 volunteers have been a big help in UAE's fight against pandemic: Police
Hundreds of citizens and residents have been serving as volunteers in the UAE's fight against the pandemic. And in this time of Covid-19, their work has become a 'national duty', the Abu Dhabi Police said. Volunteers of different nationalities have been a big help for the force, police said. They have been going around different areas, spreading awareness in communities and distributing food and medical supplies to workers and pedestrians. In a recent virtual session titled 'We are All Police', Col Dr Hamoud Saeed Al-Afari, director of the community police department, said volunteer work has become an important part of the initiatives rolled out to address the challenges emerging from the global health crisis.
 
No announcement made on mass layoffs, says Emirates
Dubai's flagship airline Emirates on Sunday said that it has not made any announcement regarding mass redundancies at the airline. The statement came after Bloomberg News reported that the Emirates Group was planning to cut about 30,000 jobs to reduce costs. "No announcement has been made regarding mass redundancies at the airline. Any such decision will be communicated in an appropriate fashion," the Dubai Media Office said, citing an Emirates spokesperson. "Like any responsible business would do, our executive team has directed all departments to conduct a thorough review of costs and resourcing against business projections, even as we prepare for gradual service resumption," it said.
 
Jumeirah beach walk reopens, residents reminded to follow coronavirus safety precautions
The Dubai Municipality announced the reopening of Jumeirah beach walk on Sunday. "Dubai Municipality announces the reopening of Jumeirah beach walk and reminds citizens and residents of the need to follow all necessary precautions, by using personal protection and keeping a social distance," the municipality said. The municipality further reminded residents to follow all necessary precautions, including wearing personal protection such as masks and gloves, and maintaining a safe social distance. The move is the latest in the recent easing of restrictions that were in place to curb the spread of the pandemic in the UAE. It follows the announcement that Dubai's public parks will be reopened in three phases.
 
4-month-old girl recovers from coronavirus in UAE
A four-month-old Egyptian baby admitted at a hospital in Dubai in the third week of April after testing positive for Covid-19, has been released after overcoming the disease. The girl has left the at Dubai's Al Zahra Hospital with her parents after the third negative Covid-19 test. The parents took her for testing after the oldest 15-year-old son tested positive for Covid - 19. The baby was running a slight fever and started coughing, the same symptoms experienced by her 15-year-old bother. The mother, father and middle sibling all tested negative for the virus. "We were really worried as baby T.M is only 4 months old and we knew she had to be placed in isolation. Al Zahra Hospital Dubai allowed me to stay with her and with my three-year old toddler at the hospital,"he mother of the baby said.
 
UAE varsity 3D-prints over 1,000 face mask clips for hospitals
Using tech to support health workers in the fight against Covid-19, a team of engineers at Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has 3D-printed more than 1,000 face mask clips in just two days. And for their next project, they would to use the same 3D-printing technology to produce a hundred face shields for hospitals, the ADU's College of Engineering (COE) said on Sunday. The university has successfully developed its first face shield prototype, modifying the design to make it more comfortable for the wearer. Both the clips and face shields were created through laser-cutting techniques and 3D printers. The team also worked on modifying a door handle attachment to prevent direct contact with the surface.
 
Stranded UAE expats dismayed as India extends its lockdown
Stranded Indians yearning to fly back home to the UAE will now have to wait even longer for their return. This comes as India on Sunday announced a third extension to the lockdown until May 31 to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has infected over 90,000 people in the South Asian nation. India first imposed a lockdown on March 25 and then extended it on April 15 and May 4. Khaleej Times reached out to some such people who have been stranded in India, as well as families who yearn to have their loved ones back. Pratima Chattwal, along with her daughter, has been in Rajpura Punjab since March 10. Pratima, who had gone to visit her ailing parents two months ago, said she's holding up as an adult but her daughter is desperate to return.
Etihad adds two flights, allows stranded residents to return to UAE
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on Sunday said it added two additional flights, allowing UAE residents and citizens to book flights to and from the UAE. The airline will operate one-off service from Abu Dhabi to Toronto, departing at 10am on May 21 and returning the next day. It will also operate one-off service to Belgrade. The flight will depart at 8.30am on May 21 and return from Belgrade to Abu Dhabi at 14:05 on May 21. Operated by a Boeing 787-9, passengers with appropriate approvals can book in both directions. Both routes. The UAE's national carrier will last week started with 12 destinations, allowing UAE nationals and residents to book flights. Travellers must apply in advance for Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approval via the UAE Twajudi resident service. When a successful application has been processed, applicants will receive a unique ICA approval number via email which must be provided to Etihad Airways at the time of booking, it had said.
 
Salman Khan wants Indians in Abu Dhabi to become 'heroes' in coronavirus fight
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has recorded a special message for Indian expats in the UAE as the country fights the coronavirus pandemic. Khan - one of the biggest stars of Bollywood for decades - enjoys a large fan following in the Gulf, which is why Abu Dhabi roped in the actor to record a special video message for expats, urging them to cooperate with authorities in the capital and the country as they carry out sanitisation and testing programmes. In the video, tweeted by the Abu Dhabi Media Office on Sunday night, the superstar appeals to Indians in Abu Dhabi to become heroes by staying home (stepping out for essential work/errands only), following precautionary measures and simply 'do the right thing' by getting tested if they have any Covid-19-related symptoms.

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com