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Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: 1,111 new cases reported; Dubai updates pre-travel rules

Dubai - Around-up of major developments related to Covid-19 across the country.

Here's a round-up of all the latest Covid-19 developments you need to know:

UAE reports 1,111 Covid-19 cases, 1,819 recoveries, 3 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday reported 1,111 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,819 recoveries. Three deaths were also reported. As many as 85,093 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total to more than 12.5 million Covid-19 tests so far. Dubai on Saturday extended its stimulus package by Dh500 million to support the local economy to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and expedite economic recovery. This took the total stimulus package announced by the emirate’s government this year to Dh6.8 billion. The additional package was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

Pre-travel Covid-19 test results from three more Indian labs not accepted in Dubai

Now, pre-travel Covid-19 test results from a total of seven laboratories in India will no longer be accepted in Dubai, according to Air India Express. Last month, Indian diplomatic sources, Air India Express and flydubai announced that test results from four labs will not be accepted. On Monday, October 26, three more labs were added to the list. These RT-PCR testing laboratories are Suryam Lab in Jaipur, Microhealth Labs in Kerala, Dr P Bhasin Pathlabs Ltd in Delhi, Noble Diagnostic Centre in Delhi, Aza diagnostic Centre, 360 Diagnostic and Health Services, and AARA Clinical Laboratories. India's budget carrier has also advised passengers on its blog to obtain pre-travel RT-PCR reports from Pure Health approved laboratories.

Do you need one Covid-19 test when flying to Dubai or two? Find out here

UAE residents and tourists arriving from select countries will now have to undergo two Covid-19 RT-PCR tests prior to their arrival in Dubai, confirmed Dubai's Emirates on Monday, October 26. Residents and tourists are now mandated to take one test before departure with a validity of 96 hours from the date of the test, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai. While this has been in practice at the airport since August, the airline has now released a list of countries where two RT-PCR tests, one pre-departure and one in Dubai, have been made mandatory. Passengers travelling from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh must get their certificates from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.

Emirates announces new Covid-19 PCR test requirements for Dubai

Dubai's flagship airline Emirates on Monday announced revised Covid-19 PCR test requirements for passengers travelling to or transiting through the emirate. The following entry rules apply to passengers travelling from these countries: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States (New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle).> UAE residents have the option to present a negative Covid19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure or take the Covid19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

More than 1,000 Dubai school buses inspected

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has carried out 1,011 inspections of school buses to ensure compliance with Covid-19 safety measures and other technical requirements. The said buses operate in 111 schools. The inspection teams issued 56 offence tickets. Offences included lack of compliance with the safety specifications in buses; failure to adhere to the RTA’s technical stipulations for bus seats, exterior and interior designs; drivers not operating the stop arm while picking up or dropping off students; and failure to display the permit in the designated place. The inspections will continue throughout the school year as planned. “The RTA attaches paramount attention to this activity to protect the safety of students during their daily commute,” the authority said.

Dubai teens platform makes Covid-19 contact tracing easy

The hesitation to inform other when one is Covid-positive has found a smart solution, thanks to Wasama, the brainchild of two Dubai teenagers. Wasama — stigma in Arabic — web platform allows users to upload the proof of their Covid-19 test and a list of people they have been in contact with, once the test result is manually verified. The platform sends an email or a text to those who may have been in contact and need to get tested, anonymously. Founders of the project say the idea sprung when they found themselves in a tough spot after their best friends tested positive for the virus. “I realised that my best friend was comfortable talking about it within a closed group. Beyond that, he wasn’t comfortable possibly because of the stigma associated with it,” said 17-year-old Quddus Pativada, student at the Repton School Dubai and a self-taught coder since the age of eight.

Show Emirates ID, Covid-19 certificates to enter Abu Dhabi

The police have urged those who are travelling to Abu Dhabi from other emirates to follow the procedures and instructions stipulated by the police and other authorities. In its attempt to make the flow of traffic smoother at the security points, the Abu Dhabi Police said travellers are required to show their Emirates ID and Covid clearance certificates while entering the emirate. They should also ensure that they adhere to all Covid safety rules, including wearing masks. The number of passengers allowed in one vehicle is three including the driver. Drivers should follow appropriate lanes at the check points. Signboards with different colours have been placed for different vehicles — red for emergency vehicles, blue for heavy vehicles and green for vehicles that have been permitted to enter the emirate.