Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: Mosques can operate at 50% capacity; over 275,000 Indians fly back home; 360 recoveries reported, no deaths

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 new 239 Covid-19 cases, 360 recoveries, no deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday reported 239 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 360 recoveries. No new deaths were reported. More than 42,000 new Covid-19 tests have been carried out in the country, the ministry added. In a statement, the ministry affirmed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. Mosques across the UAE can operate at 50 per cent capacity from tomorrow (August 3) when the country reopens after a four-day Eid Al Adha break. All other precautionary measures announced previously by the authorities to keep the faithful safe from Covid-19 will remain in place.
 
Over 275,000 Indians in UAE fly back home
Over 275,000 Indians in the UAE have flown back home since India's repatriation mission began on May 7. The Indian mission in Dubai said over 500,000 Indians had registered on its website after the Vande Bharat Mission was first announced. "In the last couple of weeks, the consulate called several people, but found that most of their demands have been met except on a few sectors. We feel there might be some people who are stuck and wish to go back to India, but they have been unable to do so due to lack of knowledge and means to get the tickets for their journey," the consulate said in a statement posted on Twitter. The Indian mission said that "plenty of seats" are still available on Air India and Air India Express flights operating as part of the repatriation mission from Dubai and Sharjah.  
 
UAE mosques can take in more worshippers from today
Mosques in the UAE can operate at 50 per cent capacity from today (August 3) when the country reopens after a four-day Eid Al Adha break. Mosques have been operating at 30 per cent since they were reopened on July 1. Worshippers must maintain a distance of two metres from one another, as opposed to three metres as announced earlier. The gap between the call to prayer (azan) and the prayer (salah) will be increased to 10 minutes, except for Maghrib (sunset prayer), when the gap will be five minutes. The new guidelines were announced during a virtual Press briefing in July. All other precautionary measures announced previously by the authorities  to keep the faithful safe from Covid-19 will remain in place. These include mandatory face masks at all times; worshippers having to bring their own prayer mats to mosques; performing ablutions at home, extra.
 
With negative Covid-19 test result, travellers to India can avoid paid quarantine
Travellers to India may seek exemption from a mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine by submitting a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test report on arrival. According to revised guidelines issued by India's Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on Sunday, the test should have been conducted no more than 96 hours before undertaking the journey. The revised guidelines will come into effect from August 8. Passengers with the negative Covid-19 test results need to home-quarantine for 14 days. "The test report should be uploaded on the portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) for consideration. Each passenger shall also submit a declaration with respect to authenticity of the report and will be liable for criminal prosecution, if found otherwise.  

• Abu Dhabi
• India