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Covid-19 wrap from UAE: 210 new cases reported; airlines to fly special flights; suspension of residents' entry extended; private tuition banned

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

Here's a round-up of all the latest developments you need to be aware of:

UAE confirms 210 new coronavirus cases on Thursday

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday announced 210 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The ministry announced today that it had monitored 210 new cases of new coronavirus (Covid-19), which were identified by examining those who were already infected - and did not adhere to preventive measures and self-isolation. This brings the number of reported cases in the country to 1024. The new cases are of various nationalities. They are all stable and getting the necessary healthcare.

The Ministry also announced the recovery of 35 people after receiving the necessary healthcare since they were admitted to. This brings the total number of recoveries to 96 in UAE. The ministry had on Wednesday confirmed 150 new cases as well as two deaths.

Entry of UAE residents suspended by 2 more weeks

 The UAE on Thursday extended the suspension of entry of all UAE valid visa holders who are outside the country for two additional weeks. In a statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said these precautionary measures are taken in order to preserve the health and safety of the community.

The statement added that the two-week period, which starts Thursday, could be renewed according to updates on the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation urged people who are outside the UAE with valid UAE residency visa to register for the new service "Twajudi for residents" on the ministry's website, as this service aims to facilitate their safe return to the UAE for emergency cases.

Emirates announces first passenger flights
Emirates has received approvals to carry passengers on certain flights, effective April 6. Initial flights will commence from Dubai to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels and Zurich, with four flights a week to London Heathrow, and three flights a week to the other cities. Operating from Dubai International airport Terminal 2 until further notice, these flights will only carry outbound passengers from the UAE. Emirates will also carry belly-hold cargo in both directions, supporting trade and communities with the transport of essential goods.

Etihad plans special flights from April 5
Etihad Airways on Thursday night announced plans to operate regular service to few destinations from Sunday (April 5). Over the past week, the airline deployed special charter services to the US, Australia and Sri Lanka.

"Etihad Airways has been operating special flights which have allowed stranded passengers to return home, and to support the 'UAE Food Security Program' as part of previously announced plans to utilise belly-hold capacity of passenger aircraft for cargo. These services give citizens of other nations who are unable to leave the UAE due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the opportunity to fly home. In some instances, Etihad has also been able to repatriate UAE citizens, and carry fresh produce as belly-hold cargo, on the return segments back to Abu Dhabi."

From April 5, Etihad will operate a regular service to destinations starting with Seoul Incheon, and following it with others to Melbourne, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Jakarta and Amsterdam. "These destinations are subject to government approvals."
Fines of up to Dh2m for hiking prices of food, medical supplies

Commercial establishments and pharmacies that will be caught hiking prices of food products and medicines illegally or hoarding essential items will face fines ranging from Dh250,000 and Dh2 million, according to a new directive.

Acting on the directives of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) has issued a decree regarding violations and administrative sanctions on commercial establishments that arbitrarily increase prices of food items and medical supplies.

9,000 motorists caught on camera during sterilisation

More than 9,000 motorists were caught on traffic radars in Sharjah during the hours of the National Sterilisation Programme, according to a top Sharjah Police official.

A total of 120 patrols have been deployed across the emirate to ensure all residents are committed to the measures being rolled out by the authorities.
 
UAE bans private tutoring at residences

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has banned until further notice all forms of remedial tutoring offered to students at private entities, residences, and educational institutions. Remote learning offered to students is exempted from this rule. The ministry said the decision was taken as part of preventative and precautionary measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, with the aim of protecting the health of students and the general public.

The ministry stressed that the education sector is a priority receiving immense support from the UAE leadership, which is concertedly following up on educational developments and the future of pupils in the country.

259,00 sign up for MBRU's immunity ambassador course
More than 259,00 people from all over the world have signed up for the 'Community Immunity Ambassador Programme' launched by the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
Over 200,000 people have completed the course and received their certificates and ambassador status within a week.

While the majority of MBRU's Community Immunity Ambassadors are from within the UAE, the initiative has engaged online users based in the USA, the UK, India, Cuba, Pakistan and the Philippines eager to gain valuable knowledge in the fight against COVID-19

The 60-minute course, which aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and federal and local authority measures implemented in the UAE, addresses the chain of infection, provides comprehensive details on how infectious diseases are transmitted, and puts forward solutions to break the chain of infection through concrete preventive actions.

Dubai extends validity of expired health cards
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has extended the validity of expired health cards for three months, starting from March 24, 2020.
The DHA said it has issued a circular informing concerned healthcare providers that health card holders can avail necessary medical services, even if their card is expired.
The authority further said it has extended the validity of expired health cards to facilitate the process for all DHA customers and make it easier for them to get necessary healthcare services, especially in light of the current circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The authority stressed it is exerting all efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of community members by implementing extensive precautionary and prevention measures.
SriLankan Airlines suspends all passenger flights
SriLankan Airlines has temporarily suspended all its flights from April 8 to 21. "The airline is constantly reviewing the market conditions and the restrictions imposed by the various authorities and will be ready recommence its operations at short notice even before the April 21 in the event such restrictions are lifted," the airline said in a statement.
"The airline is willing to operate special flights during this period to repatriate the Sri Lankan's who are wanting to return to the country if required."
The airlines' cargo services will continue to operate from its worldwide network special flights as and when required.
In view of providing maximum ease to its valued passengers, who have been inconvenienced under these circumstances which are beyond the Airlines' control, it has implemented a re-booking and reissue policy, which is available on www.srilankan.com. Passengers are requested to contact their travel agents, their nearest SriLankan Airlines Office or the Airlines' Global Contact Centre on +94117771979.
SRTI Park harnesses technology for agricultural production
Innovative and sustainable methods of agricultural production have been developed by the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) as some parts of the world are grappling with food security brought about by the  coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Located inside the park is Merlin Agrotunnel, an internal farm with an area of 150sqm that can produce one tonne of organic vegetables and fruits per month. The water that is used to irrigate the fruits and vegetables come from seawater, properly desalinated through solar energy, thus completing the development of an integrated system of sustainability solutions in natural resources.
Merlin Agrotunnels use very little water - about 90 per cent less than a conventional farm and because they are based on aquaponics they produce fresh fish to harvest as well, along with a range of vegetables and fruits.

Talabat 24/7 grocery delivery services within an hour
Talabat has increased its grocery capacity to 24-hours a day, which also includes free-delivery.
Daily by Talabat, the region's first 'dark store', is a delivery-only service, offering delivery within an hour, while offering delivery of groceries at hypermarket prices within an hour. The service was launched less than two months ago and covers more than half of Dubai, and is expanding as fast as possible.
Mohammed Yildirim, managing director of UAE operations, said the safety of the public in Dubai is the organisation's top priority when making the 24-hour delivery promise. "Grocery and food delivery services reduce the need for people to leave their homes. With many existing grocery delivery services being stretched with long lead times to deliver we understand that having and through our 24-hour free-delivery capabilities, we are giving customers unlimited choice on when to order.
'We're not here to make you wait days, or even half a day, however potentially somewhat longer than the usual 15 minutes, as we have increased our delivery radius to provide greater benefit for the residents and citizens of Dubai,' he said.