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Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: 1,018 new recoveries announced; mosques to remain closed during Eid; residents urged to be responsible; 105 Indian medics arrived in Abu Dhabi
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Wednesday, May 20, announced 941 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, as well as 1,018 new recoveries.The total number of Covid-19 cases in the country has now reached 26,004 and the total recoveries have reached 11,809. The authority also announced the demise of 6 people in the country, bringing the total number of deaths in the country 233. The ministry called upon the public to adhere to health guidelines and instructions from the relevant authorities, particularly concerning social distancing, for the sake of the health and safety of all. As the UAE is intensifying its fight against coronavirus, the recovery rate is steadily increasing and has surpassed the rate of infections. According to health authorities, the UAE has one of the highest recovery rates in the world owing to mass testing, early diagnoses and world-class healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has dismissed as "groundless" a social media video which shows someone alleging that medical masks are unavailable in one of its hospitals. MoHAP affirmed that all hospitals and medical centres are well-equipped with all essential supplies, including medical masks, to help the UAE fight Covid-19 with rigour. The Ministry added that it's coordinating with all hospitals on a daily basis to ensure their readiness in terms of equipment, medical supplies and staff. MoHAP urged members of the public not to circulate false and misleading information or otherwise they could be held liable.
Mosques will remain closed during Eid Al Fitr, a top official has said. The Takbeer, which is chanted before the special prayers performed on Eid, will be broadcast from mosques across the country 10 minutes before the prayer time. Muslims are to perform their prayers at home. The prayer can be offered individually, but if you are praying with your family, an adult male member should be the leader. It can be your father, brother or grandfather. If there is no male family member in the house, a grown-up female can lead the prayer.
They say some kids can't sit still as they #StayHome - that's true for around 30 youngsters in Dubai who believe they have to do something to help those in need. So, they have been raising funds and providing meals to workers in a five-day Ramadan drive that started on Tuesday. They are members of youth organisation Step Up Dubai and they called their campaign 'Ramadan Meals'. In partnership with Sharjah-based Jawan Restaurant, the group aims to distribute 500 meals a day to workers living in the emirate's industrial area. They decided to launch the drive during the last few days of Ramadan, after learning that during this period, food campaigns are usually wrapped up.
Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has denied a Bloomberg report about the emirate's hospitality businesses being adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. A spokesman for the body said: "Dubai's hospitality businesses are resuming operations based on government-issued reopening guidelines during this pandemic. The emirate's hotel sector is healthy and this prudent approach prepares the industry for an even stronger resurgence post-Covid-19. "Guided by the expert advice of our team of advisors, we have been gradually restarting various economic sectors and services across the city, to ensure continued economic resilience. "The health and well-being of our people and all of Dubai's communities will remain our first and foremost priority."
A genomic study of Covid-19 virus conducted by the UAE identified 70 mutations in the sequenced samples, 17 of which were not reported previously. Researchers found several travel-related introductions of the virus from Asia, Europe and the Middle East during the early part of the pandemic and mapped these early viral strains to an evolving global 'family tree' of the novel coronavirus, explained leading researchers who conducted the UAE's study on the genomics. Participating in a live webinar hosted by the Office of Advanced Sciences, experts said the majority of patients had no symptoms or only mild symptoms. The UAE recently announced the full genetic sequencing of the Covid-19 virus found in patients who had the disease in the country. The study used findings from 49 of the earliest confirmed patients in the UAE out of whom full genetic sequencing was completed in 25 patients.
Reenu Augustine, a mother and an emergency nurse from the south Indian state of Kerala, is among the 105 healthcare professionals who landed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday morning to join the Covid frontliners of the UAE. Reenu was all geared up for the mission - but she couldn't help but think of her 4-month-old son whom she had to leave in India. "It breaks my heart to leave my baby home with my husband and parents. He is too young. But I think this is time the world requires my service. I am sacrificing my happiness for a larger cause, the common good of humanity," said the mother of two children. Her elder daughter is now four years old. On Wednesday morning, the UAE-based VPS Healthcare flew in the team of critical care nurses, doctors, and paramedics, on a specially chartered Etihad Airways plane. This is the second batch of nurses to arrive in the country after the initial 88 staff joined frontline duties last week.
Vox Cinemas on Wednesday announced that its drive-in cinema at Mall of the Emirates will be temporarily closed until further notice. This is in line with the UAE government's revised timings of the national sanitisation drive, which is now from 8pm until 6am. The cinema chain has also announced refunds for customers who have already purchased tickets. "In adherence with the government's updated extension of the curfew in the UAE, VOX Cinemas Drive-in at Mall of the Emirates will be temporarily closed from Wednesday, 20 May until further notice. Customers who booked for shows up to Saturday, 23 May are entitled to a refund and will shortly receive an email from our team with further details. We will still be here waiting for your return and until then stay safe," Vox announced.
The Dubai Economy has ordered closure of an Amer Centre in Al Riggat Al Buteen area for failure to comply with the safety measures announced to contain the spread of Covid-19. The major violations detected at the centre included exceeding 30 per cent staff limit, non-installation of thermal scanners for customers, not displaying physical distancing stickers and failure to ensure distancing in customer seating. Amer Centres are private facilities providing various visa and residency services as authorised by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). However, Dubai has been witnessing very strong compliance rate to Covid-19 rules over last couple of weeks, reaching 100 per cent on some days.
Most hypermarkets and supermarkets across Dubai will remain open as usual, leading grocery chains have confirmed. This comes after the UAE announced revised national sterilisation programme timings from May 20. Residents are not allowed to step out of their homes from 8pm to 6am unless during emergencies. In industrial areas and areas with worker accommodations, the timings are from 6pm to 6am. The Abu Dhabi Media Office tweeted on Wednesday that supermarkets, cooperatives, grocery stores and pharmacists may remain open 24/7. V. Nandkumar, Chief Communications Officer, Lulu Group told Khaleej Times, "all its hypermarkets will operate as usual until 10pm daily. No changes will be there from today".
Senior Pakistani doctor Mohammed Usman passed away in Abu Dhabi because of the Covid-19 after he got infected while treating a patient. A UAE resident of around 12 years, Dr. Usman passed away on Friday morning and the burial took place on Monday night in the UAE. Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE Ghulam Dastgir confirmed the news and offered condolences to the family. He said the family was keen to take the body of the deceased back to the home country, but because of the restrictions on the transportation of people who died from Covid-19, the deceased was buried here in the UAE. "It was a big loss for the family and we offer condolences to them. The doctor's family was keen on the burial in their home town and the government of Pakistan had given permission as well. But later it was decided to bury him here," he added.
Ajman Ruler to support six siblings whose parents died from Covid-19
His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, has come to the aid of six Sudanese siblings, orphaned after their parents died from coronavirus within a month. Sheikh Humaid will pay for all living, educational and social expenses of the six siblings, whose sad story went viral on social media sites. His magnificent gesture comes in line with the tolerant teachings of Islam about caring for orphans and the Emirati traditions of extending helping hands to the needy and poor families. The Ruler of Ajman ordered provision of all necessities and care to the six children.
Help poured in for six children in Sharjah who lost both of their parents to Covid-19. A charity quickly came to their aid, paying their school fees and two years of rent and pledging to provide them with monthly allowance. In a span of less than a month, the Sudanese children - aged three to 17 - were orphaned as their parents succumbed to complications caused by the coronavirus. The couple died only 23 days apart. All six kids were left in the care of their cousin, Mohamed Hashim. Upon learning of the family tragedy, the Dar Al Ber Society reached out to them and offered help. The charity's abandoned family committee paid Dh50,000 for the kids' tuition fees, as well as two years worth of rent. They were also provided with iPads and laptops for their e-learning needs. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali Al Assi, chairman of the committee, said they will also be allocating monthly allowances for the kids to help Hashim in taking care of them.
Jogging and cycling tracks in Dubai will be closed from 8pm to 6am everyday, starting from Wednesday, May 20, 2020. This is in line with the the National Sterilisation Programme hours that have been set by the authorities across the country. The announcement regarding the same has been made by the Roads and Transport Authority on their official Twitter account.The RTA has also updated the service hours of public transport means (metro, tram, buses, marine transport, taxis, and shared transport) as well as customer happiness centres and centres of service providers as of May 20. The new timings conform to the revised national sterilisation programme from 8pm to 6am the following day.
The General Department of Artificial Intelligence at Dubai Police has launched a new video game entitled "Stay Safe". The game aims at rising awareness on Covid-19 by highlighting important safety tips such as wearing gloves and masks in a seamless and fun way. Brigadier Khalid Nasser Al Razooqi, the General Director of AI at Dubai Police, has clarified that Dubai Police prioritizes and emphases on the importance of rising the public knowledge in these types of events, hence the game "Stay Safe" was created. In addition, the use of video games in education is a very promising step. He added that the game can reach a very large portion of the community regardless of their age of ethnicity, as almost everyone now uses a smart phone. Brig Al Razooqi said that video games provide replay value where the players have the ability to test other possible outcomes.
As Dubai prepares to open its doors to travellers from around the world, authorities are making sure that the emirate's hotels can give its guests not only a superb destination experience - but also one that is safe and secure. To reassure both domestic holiday makers and travellers from overseas, authorities have put stringent measures in place in line with efforts to fight Covid-19. Hotels that are gearing up for reopening have been required to adopt health and safety protocols. Disinfection must be conducted daily and frequently, and all rooms, facilities and air-conditioning systems should be thoroughly sterilised. Lobbies, common areas and other contact points will be subject to enhanced sanitation. And maintaining social distancing - from restaurants to elevators - will be a priority.
Certified marriage contractors in Ras Al Khaimah processed 43 digital marriage contracts in April, a top official has said. Dr Ahmed Al Khatri, chairman of RAK Courts, said the initiative to provide marriage contracts remotely comes in line with the ongoing preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. Couples of different nationalities can now get the marriage contracts issued and attested remotely within 15 minutes."RAK courts are now providing more online services to ensure public safety," said Al Khatri. RAK courts have seen a quantum leap in terms of digital transformation, particularly after the Covid-19 outbreak, he added.
In the regular media briefing held on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, the official spokesperson for the UAE Government, Dr. Saif Juma Al Dhaheri, Spokesman of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), Dr Farida Al Hosani, the Spokesperson for the Health Sector, and Imam Abdurrahman Al Shamsi, spokesman for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), gave an update on the coronavirus-related developments and measures taken to mitigate its impact. Dr Saif Al Dhaheri said all decisions related to modifying the timings of the National Disinfection Programme are taken following a holistic review of the current conditions. "We take into consideration the readiness of various sectors to receive the public and ensure their safety, especially retail outlets and shopping malls. Their compliance with the precautionary measures, including maintaining safety distance and placing a cap on staff and customers' numbers is of paramount importance. We must ensure a balance between business continuity and public safety needs," he explained.
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