Expo 2020 Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed reviews preparations to fight Covid-19

Dubai - The Dubai Ruler praises UAE’s teamwork in its response to the pandemic

The UAE’s remarkable response to the Covid-19 pandemic was made possible by the concerted efforts of various teams at the local and federal level, the UAE Vice-President has said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the efforts of the people who worked according to an integrated plan to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the community and ensure the highest levels of protection against the outbreak made the response possible.

His remarks came as he met with the teams tasked with managing the emirate’s response to the pandemic, including Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences as well as other representatives of various field teams.

The meeting was held in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and First Deputy Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed about the preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai, which will open its doors to visitors on October 1, and the readiness of all local and federal agencies ahead of the mega event.

The meeting included a review of all the arrangements in place to safeguard the health and safety of exhibitors and delegations representing 190 countries, as well as the millions of visitors that are set to visit Expo 2020. The UAE has already demonstrated its success in mitigating the repercussions of the pandemic through its ability to host several conferences and exhibitions that attracted thousands of visitors and exhibitors.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his confidence in the arrangements made to host a safe global event, praising all the teams for their efforts in containing the spread of Covid-19 and mitigating its repercussions. He also commended the teams’ continuous efforts to implement globally-benchmarked measures to ensure the highest standards of health and safety for the community.

“The UAE has become a unique model to the world in its ability to address different challenges and discover new opportunities. The UAE’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak was one that was based on teamwork and effective coordination between various teams at the national level."

Sheikh Mohammed urged the teams to double their efforts to ensure the safest possible environment for all visitors during Expo 2020 Dubai. “I’m confident in our teams’ ability to ensure Expo 2020 is held in an environment that embraces the highest global benchmarks of safety and security. We have all the technical capabilities, human resources and field measures required to ensure the best atmosphere for our guests.”

During the meeting, Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre and other concerned teams briefed Sheikh Mohammed about their preparations for the event, including the protocols and procedures implemented to facilitate procedures for visitors and exhibitors through different ports of entry.

He was also briefed on the readiness of various sectors in Dubai, mainly the healthcare sector, to deal with any scenario that may occur. Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed on the capacity of hospitals and test centres and the preparedness of various medical teams.