Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: Record recoveries in a day; Movement permit system launched; Man infects grandmother with kiss; Cabinet plans for post-Covid era

Abu Dhabi - 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 know:
UAE reports record Covid-19 recoveries in a day
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday announced 781 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases in the country. As many as 509 new cases of recovery were also announced. 29,000 additional Covid-19 tests have been conducted in the country, the ministry added, confirming 13 new deaths from the infection. With this, the total number of infections in the country stands at 18,198, while recovered cases have reached 4,804. Total deaths stand at 198. The country has been seeing a steady increase in the number of recoveries on a daily basis, thanks to extensive timely testing and treatment being provided to patients across health centres.
 
UAE govt holds meeting on preparations for post-Covid-19 period
Upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE government began a remote meeting on Sunday, entitled, "Preparations for the post-coronavirus, Covid-19, period". The meeting, which will continue until Tuesday, May 12, is being attended by ministers, secretaries-general of executive councils, officials from over 100 federal government and local authorities, and international experts. During the last meeting of the UAE cabinet, Sheikh Mohammed gave instructions to develop a national strategy for the post-Covid-19 era. He called on the ministers, undersecretaries, members of the executive councils and experts to collaborate to produce the strategy and establish short-term and long-term policies to reactivate the economic activities in the country.
 
Coronavirus can't be transmitted through food: UAE authority
The Covid-19 coronavirus cannot be transmitted through food and packaging, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has said. The authority pointed out that coronavirus cannot live or reproduce in food, as it needs a living body to reproduce, Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm reported. The authority added that washing fruits and vegetables is enough to ensure their safety. The ADAFSA has launched a campaign to educate the public about the ways to keep themselves safe from Covid-19 while buying or cooking food. The authority advised the public to wash fruits and vegetables with water and vinegar to make sure the food is safe, adding that cooking food at temperature of 70 degrees or more kills the viruses.
 
Abu Dhabi implements movement permit system
The Abu Dhabi Police have announced a movement permit system for residents wanting to leave their homes for essential purposes during the National Sterilisation Programme, which runs daily from 10pm to 6am. Police said residents can request for permission to leave their homes for essential work or purposes during the restricted period through the website www.adpolice.gov.ae. The move aims to support the efforts of the programme to enhance community safety. The authority has stressed the importance of adhering to the time limit of the requested permit so that the person avoids being fined. The Abu Dhabi Police clarified that the entities whose nature of work requires the presence of employees during the National Sterilisation Program should provide the authorities a list containing the names of their employees and their vehicle number plates.
 
Man kisses grandmother in UAE, infects her with Covid-19
Even the tender love of a relative can be dangerous. An Emirati grandmother tested positive for Covid-19 coronavirus after her relative kissed her forehead in a gesture of affection as he was leaving. And this is a family that has rigorously been practicing social distancing and conforming to all the rules. After staying home, canceling all appointments and maintaining social distancing with all of her children and family members himself the lady was vulnerable when the relative infected her with just that momentary gesture. This is a perfect example of the importance in keeping senior citizens protected. According to a report in Arabic daily Al Khaleej, the grandmother had taken all precautions to protect herself and her family and maintained the Covid-19 protocols and it was just this singular lapse that was enough. Clearly, the young man was symptom free that day and was only found positive the next day.
 
Wrongly flashed by radar in UAE? Challenge it
Residents fined for violating Covid-19 precautionary measures can file their disputes with the public prosecution within 15 days of receiving the offence notification, Abu Dhabi authorities have said. The Abu Dhabi Police on Saturday said it will activate road radar devices and smart systems to monitor movements between 10pm and 6am and issue automatic fines to those violating restrictions. Patrols will also be deployed across the emirate to ensure the public's commitment to the National Sterilisation Programme. "Anyone leaving their homes for non-essential purposes - for reasons other than work or buying food and medical supplies - will be fined Dh2,000," said the police. Residents who have objections to the fines can file their complaints at the Penalty Registry of the Public Prosecution through the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution website or smart application within a period of 15 days after being notified about the violation.
 
Contactless greetings must to keep elderly safe
Keep the elderly safe at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic and make sure social distancing is maintained even within the family, doctors reiterated on Sunday. Seniors, they stressed, have compromised immune systems and should be protected from the virus at all costs. The reminder comes after an Arab grandmother tested positive for Covid-19 when a relative kissed her forehead in a gesture of affection as he was leaving. After staying home, cancelling all appointments and keeping a safe distance from all of her children and family members - the elderly woman got infected with just one momentary gesture.
 
New 80-bed hospital opened in Abu Dhabi
An 80-bed hospital has been opened up in the Abu Dhabi in a short span of 15 days to take care of Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms. Reem Hospital, a portfolio company of Investcorp, in collaboration with the Department of Health and SEHA, on Sunday commissioned Dar Al Shifaa Hospital in Khalifa City A to make 80 beds available to support the UAE government in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Reem Hospital said it has volunteered to operate and manage 80 beds at Dar Al Shifaa Hospital, on a non-profit basis, from April 22 for quarantine and care of Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms, in line with its commitment to support the UAE's relentless efforts in battling and eradicating the Covid-19 pandemic and safeguarding the community.
 
Thanking Covid-19 heroes: Free legal services offered to doctors in UAE
In appreciation of the efforts of doctors fighting the Covid-19 pandemic on the front lines, a law firm in the UAE has stepped up to provide them with free legal services. Bin Suwaidan Firm for Advocates and Legal Consultants reached out to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to make the offer official, and, recently, they signed a memorandum of cooperation. Under the memo, all legal services will be offered to doctors - including legal representation before UAE courts - for free throughout 2020. "We deemed it timely and proper to take this initiative as we have been seeing the enormous efforts and sacrifices made by doctors as they risk their lives and their loved ones' in the fight against Covid-19," Emirati lawyer Abdul Moneim Bin Suwaidan told Khaleej Times.
 
650 tenants of Sharjah's gutted Abbco Tower screened for coronavirus
As many as 650 tenants of the Abbco Tower in Sharjah, which was destroyed in a blaze last week, were screened for coronavirus. Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, executive director of Sharjah Charity Association (SCA), said that the association teams, in coordination with the Emirates European Hospital, conducted Covid-19 screening tests of 650 residents of the gutted tower. The tenants were also provided with all types of medical examination, treatment and medication in the hotels, where they are currently staying. The SCA will continue to hand out food parcels and offer basic needs to the families until the maintenance of their flats in the affected tower is complete, Bin Khadim pointed out.
 
DSOA waives licence, registration fees for new firms
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) on Sunday announced additional incentives and exemption packages for business partners. The free zone waived Dh12,000 licence fee and Dh6,900 registration fee for new licences for the first year who will apply until the end of July 2020. Also, a one-month grace period will be provided for new companies, Dubai Media Office tweeted on Sunday. "Amid the overwhelming support achieved by DSOA's previous relief package to support the business sector in DSO, we have launched additional incentives in line with the directives of the #Dubai government," said Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA.
 
One more Dubai shop shut for flouting Covid-19 guidelines
While continuing its inspections, Dubai Economy found 1,156 commercial outlets compliant with the precautionary measures related to coronavirus in the emirate. Only one shop was closed for not abiding by the safety guidelines while no outlet was issued warning or given fine on Saturday.

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