Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: Dubai fines businesses for Covid violations; resident recounts ordeal as patient; tourists back in Dubai

Abu Dhabi - A round-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 851 Covid-19 cases, 868 recoveries, 1 death
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 851 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 868 recoveries. One death was also reported. More than 106,000 new Covid-19 tests have been carried out, the ministry added, taking the total to over 9.3 million tests UAE so far. Yesterday, the UAE rubbished a tweet attributed to the Ministry of Interior (MoI) warning about "another lockdown". The ministry posted a screenshot of the fake tweet with a 'FALSE NEWS' stamp above it. The fake tweet reads: "(Sic) Due to steadily increasing coronavirus cases, we've decided impose another lockdown with immediate effect starting from Sunday and urge everyone to self quarantine.  
Fines of up to Dh250,000 for Abu Dhabi schools violating Covid-19 safety measures
Fines of up to Dh250,000 will be imposed on private schools found not complying with the Covid-19 safety guidelines issued for the reopening of campuses for in-class lessons, according to education regulators. The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) confirmed to Khaleej Times on Sunday that it had issued out the list of penalties to private schools in the emirate, which includes hefty fines if a school fails to comply with the health and safety measures issued earlier for the reopening of schools. The safety guidelines were intended to provide a safe learning environment for students and the school community amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sharjah schools reopen with 25% capacity
More than 20,000 students of Sharjah private schools returned to school on Sunday after the strict implementation of Covid-19 precautionary measures. "The first day of the school was smooth and all school management had shown great compliance to the guidelines issued by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) in coordination with the Sharjah Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee. The SPEA will continue its visits to ensure safe gradual back to schools which will start with 25 per cent capacity, then 50 and 75, until they will operate by 100 per cent for this term," said a top SPEA official. All student aged 12 and above were screened before opening, he added.

Dubai fines 6 sports facilities, warns 10 others for violating safety rules
Six sports establishments were fined for flouting Covid-19 safety rules, while ten others were let off with warning as inspection teams from Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Dubai Economy continue to crack down on violating businesses. The six sports establishments were fined over the weekend for failing to maintain the mandatory safe distance at the premises as well as non-compliance with the compulsory face mask orders. With the increasing numbers of positive cases, the DSC has urged all clubs, academies and sports and training centres in Dubai to comply with the protocols and safety guidelines. Authorities stressed that inspection visits will be further intensified to ensure establishments comply with all Covid-19 safety protocols.

Dubai fines 22 establishments for flouting safety rules
As part of the daily inspections, Dubai Economy authorities on Saturday fined 22 establishments for flouting Covid-19 protocols while two shops were issued warning. While no establishment or shop was shut down, the inspection team found 649 businesses to be compliant with Covid-19 precautionary measures issued by the government. Emphasizing the importance of following the precautionary measures, Dubai Economy has urged to report any violation through the Dubai Consumer app, or calling 600545555, or by visiting the Consumerrights.ae website.

UAE resident narrates the ordeal of being a Covid-19 patient
Forty-three-year-old mother of two and UAE resident, Sara Al Amin is glad to put her Covid-positive days behind and carry on with life on a new page. She calls her experience "tough and scary" and tells that she discovered real relationships during the time. Sara was aware of the seriousness of the virus and had taken all precautions. Her husband Dr Salah was a medical frontliner who moved to a hotel near Covid-19 quarantine centre. "I was staying at home with my two daughters Ragad and Rahaf and my 80-year-old father. We never left the house during the restriction period. We got all our needs delivered, including the medicines for my diabetic father. My husband never visited us during the period and we connected over Zoom video calls," she said.

Tourists are back in Dubai for its hospitality, safety
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Chairman of Dubai Airports, took to Twitter on Sunday to stress that Dubai is safe for visitors. "Our home and hub Dubai is open to the world and recognised with @WTTC's (World Travel & Tourism Council) 'Safe Travels' stamp. With Dubai's enhanced safety measures and diverse attractions, visitors and tourists can confidently experience the city to its fullest," he tweeted. His tweets came as the world marked World Tourism Day on September 27. "Tourism is a significant source of employment around the world. Travel inspires people, and helps build vital social, cultural and economic ties.
Mixed emotions as students in Sharjah step into school campuses again
Schools in Sharjah welcomed students on campus for their first socially-distanced classes. Children were brought in by parents or were seen getting off from school buses with a series of safety precautions in place. Yellow buses were less than half full as part of the physical distancing measures and parents were halted beyond a point on the building premises. Students were greeted with temperature checks at the entrance, while sanitiser dispensers lined the hallways. Stickers and signs on the floors and walls helped ensure that they kept their physical distance and break times meant students remained inside classrooms. Meanwhile, there was a visible mixture of regular back-to-school excitement and anxiety on Sunday. 

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai