Coronavirus news bulletin: 200 Pakistanis fly home, thanks to Galadari Brothers; 500 more volunteers join UAE vaccine trial; grace period for expired visit visa holders

Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:
200 Pakistanis fly home, thanks to Galadari Brothers
Two hundred Pakistanis, who had been stranded in the UAE for months, flew home on Monday on two special flights sponsored by Galadari Brothers. Carrying 100 people, the Multan-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK6238 took off at 9am from Sharjah International Airport, while the second one - PIA flight PK6212 - headed for Islamabad at 4pm, with the same number of passengers on board. Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Pakistan's Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development, conveyed his gratitude to Suhail Galadari, Co-Chairman of Galadri Brothers, for providing free tickets to the Pakistanis, most of whom lost their jobs to the Covid-19 pandemic.
UAE reports 179 Covid-19 cases, 198 recoveries, no deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday reported 179 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 198 recoveries. No deaths were reported. Nearly 59,000 new Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the country, the ministry added. In a statement, the ministry has once again affirmed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment, and more than 5.5 million tests have been carried out so far.
ICA, GDRFA approval 'not needed' for UAE residents to return
UAE residents travelling to Abu Dhabi won't need an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), the Capital's airport has told airlines in an e-mail notification. Two airlines confirmed having received this notification and said they were taking bookings from residency visa holders who haven't received their approvals. An Indian diplomat said they were "given to understand" that residents don't need approval from the ICA or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to travel to the UAE. Dubai residents are required to get a GDRFA approval to travel, while ICA approval is needed for Abu Dhabi and other emirates.
UAE visit visa holders relieved as grace period is announced
Visitors with visas that expired after March 1 have been granted an additional 30-day grace period to regularise their status or exit the country without incurring overstay fines. The grace period starts from August 11, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced on Monday. The decision is not applicable for those with visit visas that expired before March 1. The ICA has urged visitors to exit the country within the stipulated deadline. According to Amer Centres, the penalty for overstaying is Dh200 for the first day and Dh100 per day every day after. The announcement comes as a major relief for visitors who were scrambling to renew their papers or exit the country before August 11 without incurring penalties.
UAE calls on more volunteers to take part in Covid-19 vaccine trial
UAE authorities have renewed their call for volunteers to take part in the phase 3 trial of the Covid-19 vaccine. During the virtual press briefing on Monday, Dr Omar Al Hammadi, the UAE Government spokesperson, said the ongoing vaccine trial in the country is a humanitarian work and the government is hopeful it will be successful and help eradicate the pandemic. "The ultimate goal of finding a vaccine is to completely eradicate the disease," he said. "Humans have succeeded in completely eradicating smallpox using the vaccine. Vaccines have also succeeded in eliminating polio to some extent and the world is close to getting rid of it." 
Take Covid test to avoid paid quarantine in India, UAE expats urged
The RT-PCR negative test report that allows passengers travelling from UAE to India to avoid paid quarantine is not mandatory, but is highly recommended, according to an advisory issued by the Consulate General of India in Dubai on Monday. On August 3, India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare revised its guidelines, permitting travellers with a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test report to seek exemption from the mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine. The test would need to be no more than 96 hours old and be presented upon arrival. Under the 'Air Suvidha' portal, passengers could register on www.newdelhiairport.in, fill up the online declaration and upload their RT-PCR test. 
500 volunteers in 3 days join UAE Covid-19 vaccine trial at new Sharjah centre
The testing facility at the Al Qarayn Health Centre in Sharjah, the first Covid-19 vaccine trial centre outside Abu Dhabi, received 500 volunteers for the world's first Phase III clinical trials of an inactivated vaccine to combat Covid-19, in the first three days after its opening. No side effects have been reported so far among the volunteers, who hail from various nationalities, according to Dr Nour Al Muhairi, Head of Medical Services, Hospital Department of the Ministry of Health and Prevention. Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (Wam), Al Muhairi said the targeted group of volunteers have to be free of any chronic diseases and immunodeficiency. Pregnant women can't receive the experimental shots either. Volunteers have been invited to sign up and participate in a UAE clinical trial for a Covid-19 vaccine at a centre outside Abu Dhabi for the first time.
Indians with 'any valid visa' can now travel to UAE
Indian nationals with any type of valid UAE visa can now travel to the country, India's Ambassador to the UAE has said. Taking to Twitter on Monday, Ambassador Pavan Kapoor referred to an Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) notification, "as per which both Indian and UAE airlines" can carry Indian nationals holding any type of visa from India to the UAE. Previously, only residency visa holders were allowed to travel to the country on flights being operated as part of India's repatriation mission called Vande Bharat. Last week, the ambassador had said: "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."
Three school reopening models but one goal: Safety
All set for reopening, schools in the UAE have finalised the learning models they will be implementing for the upcoming academic year. Some will have all students on campus every day, while a number will carry out more online classes. The rest have said they will have an equal number of students opting for both remote and in-classroom learning. Whether its 'open to every pupil every day' or the blended approach, safety has been the top priority for all these campuses. Schools have carefully tailored precautionary measures to the learning models they have chosen. Khaleej Times reached out to school leaders to understand what they are offering at the beginning of the academic year. David Cook, headmaster of Repton School Dubai, said they will be able to offer classes to all students, all day.
 
School buses in Sharjah will operate at 50% capacity
School buses in Sharjah will not occupy more than 50 per cent capacity when school reopens in September, the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) has announced. The measure is part of the SPEA's comprehensive guidelines to reopening private schools for the next academic year. "Schools not complying with the updated regulations will be held accountable - they may face a fine or be assigned to switch to distance learning methods," said Ali Al Housani, director-general of the SPEA. "The protocols had been drafted in coordination with several authorities to secure prevention and safety benefits for the school community," he added.

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com