Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: RTA extends free parking in Dubai; Faithful to observe Easter from home; 13 new drive-through centres opened

1-370 new coronavirus cases announced on Friday, April 10
The UAE has conducted over 49,000 Covid-19 tests among UAE citizens and residents, it was revealed on Friday, using state-of-the-art technology in line with the 's plans to intensify virus screening in order to bring the disease under control.The accelerated investigative measures helped detect 370 new coronavirus cases among various nationalities, all of whom are in a stable condition and receiving the necessary care. This took the total number of infections in the country to 3,360, according to a MoHaP statement. The Ministry also revealed the death of two patients suffering from Covid-19. Both of the deceased were Asian nationals and had pre-existing chronic illnesses. The total number of deaths has now reached 16.
2-129 people refereed to public prosecution for violating quarantine rules
A total of 129 people who violated the quarantine rules in UAE have been referred to public prosecution. First-time offenders will be fined Dh50,000 once a report is filed and the offender is informed of his or her violation. The fine shall be doubled to Dh100,000 for second-time offenders. The preventative and precautionary measures are aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus - through social distancing and home quarantine, particularly during the national sterilisation programme. "Pursuant to the Cabinet Resolution No. 17 of 2020, those who fail to comply with home quarantine measures will be referred to the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution at the Federal Public Prosecution if the violation is committed for the third time. They will be tried and jailed for a minimum of three years or fined a minimum of Dh100,000 as per the law," said the Chief of the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution.
3-RTA extends free parking in Dubai
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai has extended the free public parking period until the National Sterilisation Programme lasts. On Friday, April 10, RTA tweeted: "The free public parking in Dubai has been extended along with the extension of the sterilisation period within the National Sterilisation Program."
4-Faithful to observe Easter from home
With the authorities extending the closure of places of worship in the UAE until further notice, religious preachers have urged the faithful to keep the faith, adhere to the directives of the government and follow stay-at-home and social-distancing policy for the larger good in these trying times. This is the holy week for Christians with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday vigil and Easter on Sunday. However, with Covid-19 restrictions, churches continue to remain shut for followers and are instead live-streaming their services. All the masses are made available through YouTube and Facebook platforms. At St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Dubai, the Good Friday services were held as per liturgy by the priests who reside within the church premises. Rev Fr Ninan Philip, vicar and president of St Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, said: "Although we could not replicate the feeling of worshipping together, we still tried our best by live-streaming the services for all those at home."
5- Abu Dhabi police distribute face masks to people
Abu Dhabi Police have distributed face masks and personal protection supplies among residents of a number of areas in Abu Dhabi, including Musaffah, Al Mafraq and Al Shawamekh in addition to Al Ain City, as part of the "For Your Safety" Campaign. The police patrol officers advised the public to comply with precautionary measures taken by the UAE and the directives issued by competent departments to avoid Covid-19, including social distancing protocols, frequent hand-washing and steering clear of mass gatherings and large community events.
6-13 new drive-through centres opened
Thirteen new drive-through testing facilities for Covid-19 have been opened across the UAE over the recent days. The Abu Dhabi Media Office on Thursday reported that under the directives of His Highness Sheikkh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, 13 additional Covid-19 drive-through testing facilities were opened in 10 days, in addition to the centre previously opened in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. "A total of 317 employees and volunteers worked on completing the construction of the centres, which spans a total area of 23,000 square metres," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a tweeted.
7-Man arrested for impersonating Dubai Police in online video
Dubai police has arrested an Asian man for impersonating a security officer and posting the video online. According to the force's recent policy to name and shame offenders, a brief statement was issued on Thursday saying that the man has been referred to competent authorities for further legal action over impersonating an officer.
8-Etihad adds new Pakistan and Indian cities to freighter flights
Following its recent launch of passenger freighter flights to 10 destinations, complementing its Boeing 777 freighter operations, Etihad Cargo announced five additional routes using the airline's passenger aircraft to increase the flow of essential supplies into the UAE and provide further east-west connectivity between major markets. Using belly hold capacity on a mix of Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, Etihad Cargo is introducing services between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, Chennai, Kerala, Karachi, and Amsterdam, in addition to passenger freighters already operating scheduled cargo-only flights to Seoul, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Riyadh, a statement issued on Friday said. The new routes will further ensure continuity of fresh imports to the UAE including meat, fish and seafood, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, as the nation continues to take measures to ensure food security and national health as part of its response to the coronavirus, Covid-19, pandemic.
9-UAE exceeds average growth in medical research in Gulf region
The UAE has exceeded the average growth of registered medical research in the Gulf region, reaching 86.5 per cent. The country's medical research growth rate totalled 157.7 per cent from 2014 to 2018. According to a recent study released by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the number of medical research projects conducted in the country increased from 678 in 2014 to 1,747 in 2018, totalling 5,914 over five years that focused on common diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The UAE has attained an advanced level of medical research and utilised its findings to improve the healthcare services provided to all members of society.