Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: 369 new cases reported; 3 centres for Dh50 Covid-19 tests to open; guidelines for Eid Al Adha issued

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 369 Covid-19 cases, 395 recoveries, 2 deaths

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Tuesday reported 369 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 395 recoveries.Two deaths were also reported. More than 43,000 new Covid-19 tests were carried out in the country, the ministry added.
Abu Dhabi launches pioneering study on residents' Covid-19 immunity

A pioneering study is under way in Abu Dhabi to establish residents' immunity against Covid-19 and control the spread of the disease in the UAE. Health experts have started collecting random samples from residents and Emiratis to run serology tests, which look for antibodies in the blood. Abu Dhabi Media Office outlined the aims of the study, which it said is the first of its kind in the UAE and in the region, on Twitter on Tuesday. Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, in collaboration with United Arab Emirates University, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) and Mubadala National Reference Company, is conducting the study, which began on July 19 and is due to end on August 16. The study's test aims to ascertain if an individual has previously had Covid-19, regardless of how severe the symptoms were.
3 centres for Dh50 Covid-19 tests to open in Abu Dhabi

Three new Covid-19 testing centres will soon open in the Capital, allowing residents to get rapid laser tests done for only Dh50. Once up and running, these facilities would offer relief to Abu Dhabi residents who wish to travel outside the emirate as they are required to present a negative test result upon their return.
To be operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services (Seha), the three centres will be located in Zayed Sports City, Corniche area, and Hili area in Al Ain. Residents would have to book appointments through Seha's smart application before coming for tests. Slots will be available daily starting August 1,  according to a local newspaper paper which quoted Seha.
UAE-approved Covid-19 testing labs to raise capacity in India

The number of UAE-approved Covid-19 testing centres in India is expected to increase 'drastically' to meet the huge demand from stranded residents wishing to return to the country, a spokesperson for the Pure Health network of laboratories told Khaleej Times. Pure Health has been appointed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) as the UAE's official laboratory partner for conducting pre-flight Covid-19 screenings. Starting August 1, all passengers travelling to the UAE must have a Covid-19 negative PCR test result from authorised labs. Maria El Houari, the project manager for international passenger screening at Pure Labs, said: "We currently have 40 labs in India alone. With more labs being added by the day, that number is expected to increase drastically."
Your guide to having a safe and happy Eid in UAE

The UAE government has urged residents to observe a socially-distanced Eid Al Adha this year. Mosques across the country will not host Eid prayers and the faithful have been asked to offer them at home. The Eid break is from Thursday, July 30, to Sunday, August 2, and residents have been asked to avoid gatherings so they stay safe from Covid-19. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has issued a set of guidelines for residents so they can celebrate the Islamic festival safely.
Free Covid-19 tests for all hotel employees in RAK

Employees working at hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are being screened for Covid-19 for free, under an initiative led by the emirate's tourism authority. The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has partnered with the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and Ras Al Khaimah Preventive Medicine Department (PMD) to roll out this mass testing programme that would ensure the safety of both hotel guests and employees. The initiative comes as restrictions on domestic and international tourism are eased, and the number of people visiting Ras Al Khaimah continues to rise. Supervised by the RAKTDA, screenings are being done across the 45 hotels in the emirate as part of the authority's 'Stay Safe' hotel certification.
Vande Bharat Mission: Air India tickets sale opens on Tuesday in UAE 

The sale of Vande Bharat Mission (phase five) air tickets for Air India flights from Sharjah to various cities in India officially opened on Tuesday, July 28 at 4 pm, the Consulate General of India in Dubai announced on social media. Indian nationals registered with the Indian diplomatic missions can book flights at normal repatriation fares on the Air India website or through authorised UAE travel agents, explained the post. Tickets for flights from August 2 to 15 are available to Indian cities such as - Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Amritsar, Gaya and Ahmedabad. The Indian flag carrier's sister concern Air India Express had also opened phase five air tickets for flights from UAE to India on Monday, July 27 at 4 pm. 
Dubai-based couple ties the knot over video call; unable to meet due to travel restrictions

When Dubai-based Pakistani expat Ikram Naseem and Indian national Fizzah Sayyed fell in love and tied the knot over Zoom, little did they expect a global pandemic to play the villain in their marital bliss. The couple is yet to meet as Fizzah is stuck in India and cannot travel to the UAE because of coronavirus travel restrictions. Ikram Naseem, a restaurant owner, met former flight attendant Fizzah during one of her work-related trips to the UAE in December 2018. Over the course of the next couple of months, cupid struck and Fizzah, a Mumbai native, and Naseem, who was born and raised in the UAE, decided to spend the rest of their lives together. The couple said they had to forego the "wedding of their dreams" scheduled for March 27 and opt for an online ceremony on May 5, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Abu Dhabi