Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: VP hails Sheikh Mohamed's Covid-19 response; 4 families infected after Taraweeh prayers; More UAE-India flights this week; Schools hint at fee waivers

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:
VP hails Sheikh Mohamed's humanitarian response to Covid-19
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday praised the patriotic and humanitarian stands of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during the outbreak of the global pandemic Covid-19. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said the stand of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reflects UAE's culture and its support for friends and enemies during crises and hard times. Sheikh Mohammed's remarks came while addressing the opening session of the remote government meeting entitled "Preparations for the post-coronavirus, Covid-19, period". The meeting, which will continue for three days, was attended by the ministers, undersecretaries, secretary general of the Executive Councils, officials from over 100 federal and local entities in addition to international experts, strategists and researchers.
 
UAE announces 680 new Covid-19 cases, 3 deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Monday announced 680 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 18,878.  577 new recoveries were also announced in the country, bringing the total number of recoveries to 5,381. The authority announced 3 deaths, with the total number of deaths reaching 201 in the country. Some families continue to distribute food to their neighbors and this can spread virus. This traditions are deeply rooted in the UAE. People love to help others. But this practices might lead to the spread of virus to others. Dr Farida Al Hosani, Official Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, said that opening public spaces doesn't mean we can ignore the social distancing requirements. Children, elderly and high-risk individuals should continue to avoid going out at all times. Masks remain mandatory in public areas.
 
UAE excels in addressing crisis, Sheikh Saif insists
Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, on Monday said that the UAE excels in dealing with all crises and exceptional circumstances and has made positivity the basis of its developmental drive. "This achievement is attributed to the leadership of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates," he added. Sheikh Saif made his remarks while addressing the meeting of the UAE Government, held remotely  under the title, "Preparing for the Post-Covid-19 Period."
 
Burj Khalifa secures 1.2 million meals in one week for World's Tallest Donation Box
In all its illuminated glory, the Burj Khalifa has celebrated the fact that 1.2 million meals have been provided to people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic just one week after the launch of the World's Tallest Donation Box. Donations have poured in from individuals and companies to provide a meal for every light purchased on Burj Khalifa for as little as Dh10 each. Contributions from 110 nationalities illuminated Burj Khalifa's 1.2 million lights in a message of hope and solidarity to Covid-19-hit communities across the world. The humanitarian initiative, launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) in collaboration with Burj Khalifa, secured 1.2 million meals for the '10 million meals' campaign to provide food support for low-income families and individuals throughout the holy month of Ramadan
 
Dubai Police reunites British student with family in UAE
Dubai Police have reunited a British student with her family in the UAE after she was stranded in the UK. Psychology student Emily Sutton found herself stuck in Liverpool for six weeks when air travel restrictions kicked in due to the coronavirus pandemic. Her family reached out to UAE authorities for help - and they responded by getting Emily back into the country within a week. An emotional video posted by Dubai Police shows Emily's parents waiting eagerly for her at the Dubai International Airport, and greeting her at long last from a safe distance. Her mother Jenny Sutton expressed her deep gratitude to Dubai Police for their humanitarian response to the family's plight and for overseeing the safe return of her daughter to the UAE.
Not aware of any Naval ship coming to UAE: Indian envoy
There is no information about any Indian Navy ship coming to the UAE as part of the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate stranded Indians, a top envoy told Khaleej Times in Abu Dhabi. Ever since operation Samudra Setu was announced, there were reports in Indian media that 14 ships have been kept ready to evacuate stranded nationals from Gulf countries and out of it two sailed on May 5. INS Shardul attached to Southern Naval Command has been engaged to bring stranded citizens for Dubai, news agency IANS had reported. Additionally, after navy warship Jalashwa entered Male port in Maldives, there were reports that a ship was off coast of Dubai awaiting approvals from the UAE authorities. However, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Pavan Kapoor, said that till date he was not aware about any Naval ship.
 
Indian actor Mammootty leads free air ticket drive for Indian evacuees
South Indian film actor Mammootty is spearheading a massive relief effort to provide free air tickets to cash-strapped expatriates waiting to be repatriated by special flights being operated by Air India. Mammootty has undertaken this mission in his capacity as chairman of Kairali TV, a south Indian channel. John Brittas, managing director of the popular Malayalam channel, said 1,000 air tickets would be given away free of cost to the most deprived and stranded expatriates from Kerala in the first phase of the mission. "We are exploring the possibility of launching chartered flights to evacuate hundreds of such expatriates in distress to Kerala from the GCC countries. For this operation, special permissions have to be obtained from government authorities in India and their counterparts in the GCC states," said Brittas.
 
Schools in UAE hint at possible fee waivers
Schools in the UAE are considering extending fee waivers if the distance learning programme continues into the new academic year which is set to begin for most schools in September. However, Indian schools in the UAE have begun their 2020-21 academic session from this April. The distance learning programme that began in March this year was earlier extended until the summer break. But the Ministry of Education recently stated that the end of e-learning and reopening of schools was "still under review" and would depend on the ongoing efforts to combat Covid-19. In the light of the pandemic, some schools have indicated a possible reduction of up to 25-30 per cent in their tuition fees, if e-learning continues after the summer break.
 
Air India flights from UAE to Hyderabad, Kochi take off
The Air India repatriation flight from Abu Dhabi took off with 170 passengers to the Indian city of Hyderabad on Monday evening. The flight to Kochi from Dubai's Terminal 2 took off at 3.40pm. passengers at Abu Dhabi airport failed to clear the Covid-19 IGM/IGG rapid test and one had issues with immigration clearance. Under the Vande Bharat Mission, this was the first flight from the UAE Capital to the Telangana state. Unlike the delay caused on Thursday, the opening day of repatriation flight to Kochi, the entire process, including medical screening, was streamlined and the plane took off for Hyderabad on time from Abu Dhabi International Airport. As many as 177 passengers flew to Kochi from Dubai on Monday, the Consul General of India to Dubai, Vipul, confirmed. These include 30 pregnant women, senior citizens, a few medical cases, and workers.
 
Pregnant Indian expat in UAE without valid marriage certificate to fly home
Indian expat Poonam Singh, who is now 35 weeks pregnant, and her husband Anoop have been allotted seats on a repatriation flight to New Delhi from Dubai. They will finally be flying home this Wednesday. They hail from a village in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where solemnisation and marriage certification are done by the village council. However, the marriage certificate with the seal of a village head is not valid in the UAE. This meant Poonam had to leave in the next available flight. Khaleej Times reported their plight in the Sunday edition. Following the report, a Dubai-based social worker swung into action, took up the matter with the Consulate-General of India, and managed to get the couple listed among the priority cases.
 
Indian expat leaving UAE 'just to perform his mother's last rites'
Ramesh Kumar, an Indian expat in the UAE for 15 years, lost his mother back home on Saturday. Kumar is the only son in his family and leaving onboard Abu Dhabi - Hyderabad repatriation flight hoping to perform last rites of his beloved mother. "She left me alone. She suffered a heart attack. I used to talk to her daily, now all that is left are her memories. This is a difficult moment and journey to take for me. I don't know what to say and how to express my feelings. I wish to see her one last time." Kumar is thankful for Indian government's 'Vande Bharat Mission'. He hopes his community members allow him to conduct his mother's last rites. "I am a native of Ramanthapur. I am a bit apprehensive about how people will react.
 
These visiting doctors are now volunteers in UAE
While thousands of visitors in the UAE rush to catch a flight back home, there are doctors who decided to stay on, serve the community, and devote their time and energy to take care of Covid-19 patients as volunteers. Saman Haziq writes. Parvathy Jayesh, 30, came to the UAE in January with her one-year-old daughter. She was visiting her husband in Dubai and planned to get a job in the country - but, instead, what she found was a "calling" for a bigger mission. "While I was applying for jobs, the Covid pandemic began. Then, I heard from a community group called KMCC that they - along with the DHA - were setting up an isolation facility for Covid-19 positive patients and required volunteers," said Jayesh, who hails from the south Indian state of Kerala. Though she knew it would be tough, she was ready for it. "Now was the time all my education and practice related to medicine needed to be put to test. This was my calling and I wanted to be part of this mission. I am lucky that my husband motivated me to go for it," she said.
7 crucial lessons world should learn from coronavirus pandemic: UAE study
Global warming and the destruction of the natural world for farming, mining, and housing have forced more contact between animals and people. This brings imminent danger to humanity, given that 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases come from wildlife. A new study on the impact of Covid-19 on the environment and climate change notes that the global pandemic should serve as a wake-up call to every government and every individual on this planet. As tragic as the past few weeks have been, the pandemic has taught mankind crucial lessons how to tackle climate change and survive. The study was developed by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Ibrahim Al-Zu'bi, Chief Sustainability Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding.
 
Abu Dhabi Airports supports efforts to combat global Covid-19 pandemic
Abu Dhabi Airports is supporting global efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic by ensuring the safe, secure and efficient transport of essential supplies and equipment through Abu Dhabi International Airport, in addition to facilitating a number of repatriation and humanitarian flights. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the primary gateway to Abu Dhabi and a key global transit hub for passengers and airfreight, offering connections to the world's key markets. Its specialist cargo facilities offer significant capacity for transhipments and the efficient handling of time and temperature-sensitive goods.

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