Dubai - The UAE has carried out more than seven million Covid-19 tests across the country so far.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the first Phase lll trials of an inactivated vaccine for Covid-19 in the UAE are among the largest in the world in volunteer recruitment, having reached 31,000 vaccinated volunteers from more than 120 nationalities in only six weeks. The speed and efficiency of volunteer registration, screening and vaccination is setting new global benchmarks for the 4Humanity trials of the inactivated vaccine developed by Sinopharm CNBG. The trials are being managed by Abu-Dhabi based G42 Healthcare in partnership with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.
Yesterday, school students returned to campuses across the UAE for their first socially distanced classes. School managements have taken all steps to ensure safety under the guidance of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and other authorities. However, some Dubai schools have decided to postpone the reopening of their campuses as some teachers and staff are yet to undergo Covid-19 tests, Khaleej Times has learnt. Instead of welcoming back students to classrooms, these schools started the new academic term with online classes as they await virus test results. Last week, the KHDA made it mandatory for all Dubai school staff to get screened for Covid-19 prior to reopening.
Over the weekend, it was announced that mosques and places of worship in industrial areas as well as labour accommodations in the UAE will reopen for worshippers. Taking to Twitter, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said: "The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments and National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority announce the reopening of mosques and other places of worship in industrial areas and labour accommodations".