Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: Dubai issues fresh guidelines; Sharjah to reopen wedding, event halls

Dubai - 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 1,400 Covid-19 cases, 2,189 recoveries, 3 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 1,400 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 2,189 recoveries. Three deaths were also reported. As many as 104,673 new Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total to over 12.7 million tests so far. Sniffer dogs are now being used at multiple UAE entry points to detect cases of Covid-19 among travellers, authorities have confirmed. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the K9 dogs have been deployed in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports, and at the Ghuwaifat border point. The police dogs screen for potentially infected passengers using small scent samples collected through an armpit swab. No direct contact happens between a passenger, dog or its handler, said the ministry.

UAE minister Sheikh Nahyan gets Covid-19 vaccine

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has received the coronavirus, Covid-19, vaccine. Sheikh Nahyan said that the UAE, with the guidance and support of the wise leadership, has demonstrated during the pandemic its ability to deal with the repercussions of the Covid-19 with high efficiency, based on the best scientific and practical standards, which embodies the leadership of the medical sector in the UAE. The UAE authorised the emergency use of the vaccine, to make it available for the front-liners, who are at the highest risk of contracting the virus, with the aim of providing all safety and security means and protecting them from any dangers. The trials conducted in the country - in which 31,000 volunteers from 125 nationalities have participated in - have proven that the vaccine is safe and effective and resulted in a strong response to fight the virus.

Active Covid-19 cases fall below 4,000 first time in six months in UAE

The UAE has shown a high level of resilience in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and that is evident in the consistent drop in the number of active cases and steady recoveries the country has recorded in the past one week. Unprecedented levels of daily testing being conducted across the country have helped the UAE authorities bring down its positive Covid cases to below 4,000 for the first time in almost six months. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday reported 1,400 new Covid cases and also announced 2,189 recoveries, bringing the total number of active cases to 3,892. As many as 104,673 new Covid-19 tests were carried out on Wednesday, taking the total to over 12.7 million tests so far. Doctors have lauded the country’s scientific approach, government agility in taking proactive steps to contain the virus, meticulous planning and concerted efforts by frontliners that they said has helped turn the tables over the crisis.

Sharjah to reopen wedding, event halls from November 1

Wedding venues and event halls in Sharjah will reopen from November 1 with strict anti-Covid measures in place. Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have already allowed resumption of socially distanced celebrations and social events in commercial facilities, hotels and homes. Those wishing to hold celebrations or parties at home and in halls or tents need to take permission from the district council, a Sharjah government official said.

Dubai issues guidelines for social gatherings, celebrations

Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management on Wednesday announced precautionary guidelines for social gatherings and celebrations. The committee issued a statement on social media explaining that with the upcoming seasons of celebrations and social gatherings such as Halloween, Diwali and other festivities, it is of utmost importance that the public strictly adheres to the precautionary measures outlined by authorities.

Families of martyrs in UAE to get Covid-19 vaccine

The Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court has launched a campaign to vaccinate the families of martyrs with the coronavirus vaccine, in cooperation with the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Executive Director of the Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, said that the campaign was launched due to the significant attention of the UAE’s leadership for the families of martyrs while highlighting the constant monitoring of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and his keenness to provide the families of martyrs with their required services and decent and stable live

Left behind in UAE due to Covid, dog travels 4,000km for owner’s wedding

Man’s best friend finds its way home, eventually. Smurf, a seven-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, travelled 4,000km from Dubai into the arms of its owner in India. The pet dog was left behind at the height of the Covid-19 triggered restrictions after his owner had to travel back home in a repatriation flight early June. “At that time, flights to India were only for emergency repatriations. No airline was accepting pets,” said his owner Malavika Kurian, who left Smurf under her aunt’s care in Dubai. On Wednesday, after a four-month-long separation, Smurf was finally reunited with his family in Kottayam, Kerala. His journey included a 12-hour road trip. The pet was put on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Bengaluru last week.

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