Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: High recoveries, new low active cases; validity of Covid results for incoming residents extended; Emirates offers free medical cover for Covid-19

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:
High recoveries, new low in UAE active Covid-19 cases
Active coronavirus cases in the UAE have been steadily declining over the past three weeks. On Thursday, they fell below 7,000 with no fatalities in a clear sign that the country is flattening the curve.  Total recoveries have now crossed 50,000, with a recovery rate of 87.22 per cent compared with the global average of 60.4 per cent.

UAE reports 254 new Covid-19 cases, 494 recoveries, no deaths
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Thursday reported 254 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 494 recoveries. No new deaths were reported. As many as 54,000 new Covid-19 tests have been carried out, the health ministry added.
Emirates to offer free medical cover worth Dh640,000 for passengers
In a unique offer, Dubai's Emirates airline will now cover medical expenses of up to 150,000 euros (Dh638,363) and quarantine costs of 100 euros (Dh425.5) per day for 14 days for passengers should they be diagnosed with Covid-19 during their travel while they are away from home. This service is free of cost to the customers.
Covid-test result of arriving residents extended by 24hrs

The UAE on Thursday extended the validity of the PCR test for passengers arriving in the country by 24 hours.
The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that the time between taking the PCR test for Covid-19 and arriving at one of the UAE airports should not exceed 96 hours, and the test results must be negative. It was announced during a media briefing on Wednesday that the time limit would be 72 hours.  All UAE-bound passengers can get their mandatory PCR negative test results from a government-approved laboratory in their home country, in case a testing centre is not listed on the Pure Health list of laboratories recommended by the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA), authorities have said.
UAE residents happy to make 'Eid at home' a family affair
With the UAE announcing a socially-distanced Eid Al Adha celebrations this year in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, residents said they were happy to comply with the guidelines and will keep the celebration low-key by avoiding gatherings and, instead, use technology to celebrate the festival virtually.
UAE takes action against 102 people for changing test result message

The Abu Dhabi Police GHQ has referred 102 people of different nationalities to the Federal Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Prosecution for deliberately changing the messages of their Covid-19 test results with the objective of entering Abu Dhabi. The Public Prosecution calls upon the public to comply with the preventive and precautionary measures, including all the decisions taken by the relevant government authorities, in order to avoid legal liability.
Abu Dhabi on track to becoming completely 'Go Safe' certified

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced its Go Safe certification initiative, which is aimed at elevating and standardising hygiene and cleanliness levels across tourism and retail establishments in the emirate. The initiative has been successfully rolled out at 146 of Abu Dhabi's hotels since its launch in June.

UAE visa fine waivers: All Indian expats need to know
Indian missions in the UAE on Wednesday announced that Indians whose employment visas expired before March 1 should approach the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate-General in Dubai for availing of a fine-waiver. Here are answers to all the questions about availing of the faine-waiver.
Community to assist Indian expats seeking fine waivers in UAE

Community associations and social workers across the UAE will be setting up help desks and launching awareness campaigns to assist Indian nationals seeking fine waivers for overstaying. Community leaders said they would collaborate with Indian diplomatic missions on these initiatives. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi urged Indian nationals whose visas have expired before March 1 to avail this opportunity to leave the country by August 17 without paying fines.

Free mass testing campaign launched in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah

Free mass testing has been launched in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. Seven health centres, four hospitals and local preventive medicine and mobile medical teams and Sheikh Saud Charitable School in Al Mairid area will perform free Covid-19 tests for all citizens and residents. These free of charge Covid-19 tests will be also conducted for all personnel working in various commercial establishments, industrial and construction sectors, commercial centres, food stores, delivery services and others. In Fujairah, Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, director-general of the Emiri Court at the Fujairah Government, launched Covid-19 testing centre in Al Halah, as part of the related plan of the Ministry of Health and Prevention(Mohap), in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA). Meanwhile, the Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources announced the expansion of the scope of Covid-19 testing for Sharjah government employees and their families in cooperation with the Mohap. The free tests will target all employees, including Emiratis and residents, who work in the Sharjah government's different departments, bodies and institutions, as well as their families, at the testing centres in Expo Centre Sharjah and the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club headquarters.

Home-testing for elderly enters second phase
The Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, has announced that it started the second stage of conducting home Covid-19 testing for all the elderly people registered with the department, as well as all their household members. The initiative aims to reach them at their homes without the need to visit hospitals or health centres to conduct the tests.
UAE, Pakistan to strengthen cooperation on jobs in post-Covid era

Pakistan and the UAE are looking to increase cooperation to give priority to Pakistani expatriates in the post-Covid employment opportunities in the emirates, a top official has said. Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, special assistant to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), said 36,000 Pakistanis had lost jobs in the UAE and Gulf region this year. Bukhari said the UAE authorities have assured that Pakistan will be among the favourable nations in post pandemic economy. He praised the Pakistani missions in the UAE for handling the repatriation of 100,000 people since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Ferrari World and Warner Bros to open next week
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and CLYMB are gearing up to welcome back guests on Wednesday, operators have announced.  Ferrari World and Warner Bros. will reopen their doors exclusively to annual pass holders with valid online bookings on Tuesday. The reopening will see the theme parks and CLYMB observe stringent precautionary measures that have been put into place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for guests. However, YasWaterworld will remain closed at the current time.
Special device to sterilise Abu Dhabi Police K9 team

A device to sterilise police dogs before and after their tasks has been rolled out in the Capital. Abu Dhabi Police said on Thursday that it has developed the police dog sterilisation device affiliated with the Security Inspection Department (K9) in the Security Affairs and Ports Sector. The device contributes to limiting the spread of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through animals. It also reflects the societal and humanitarian responsibility of the Abu Dhabi Police in strengthening the system of prevention and protection from Covid-19.
Vehicle rental firms can offer services via apps
Car rental companies in Dubai are now allowed to offer their services through digital platforms and smart apps, the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced. They may use smart features to streamline booking, process online payments, and respond to inquiries. This digital activity applies only to vehicles registered with companies licensed for rentals, the RTA said.  

• Dubai