Coronavirus news bulletin from UAE: Dubai eases restrictions; offices gear up for reopening; metro, public transport to resume on Sunday

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 announces 518 new cases, 91 recoveries
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has conducted over 29,000 additional Covid-19 tests among citizens and residents, resulting in the detection of 518 new cases among various nationalities. The total number of cases in the UAE has now reached 8,756. The ministry also announced the full recovery of 91 patients after receiving the necessary medical care. The total number of recoveries has now reached 1,637. The death of four patients was also announced. The individuals in question all suffered from chronic illnesses. The number of deaths due to Covid-19 in the UAE has now reached 56.
UAE offices gear up for partial reopening
Companies across the UAE have welcomed the measure to partially reopen offices. With Dubai Economy prescribing a set of safety guidelines for the same, a map has already been charted out. While distancing measures had already been put in place in offices across the UAE, the safety measures for employees continues to be a priority for most stakeholders. The crisis was unforeseen and has impacted everyone alike - from the corporates to private business owners.

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces a partial reduction in the restrictions on movement in the emirate starting from Friday 24 April. pic.twitter.com/4sy3K2uJ8E
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 23, 2020

Metro to reopen on Sunday

Dubai Metro and other public transport services will reopen on Sunday, according to the Roads and Transport Authority, which issued a set of guidelines for commuters. Riders will have to observe preventive and proactive health measures, including maintaining physical distance from others and wearing face masks on metro, buses and within the premises. The ongoing protective health measures for taxi rides will continue to be in place, such as limiting the number of riders to two at the back seat and maintaining isolators between the driver and passengers. Buses and taxis will operate according on normal fares, the RTA said. Metros will operate from 7am to 11pm from Saturday to Thursday, and from 10am to 11pm on Fridays. However, social distancing measures will continue to be enforced, and crowd management procedures at the entrances to the stations will apply. All employees and passengers will also be required to wear masks.

Public transport services, including #Dubai metro services, will be resumed from Sunday 26 April. The normal tariff system will be reintroduced. Precautionary measures will continue to be followed and there will be specific guidelines for passengers. pic.twitter.com/zlVWLlacJU
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 23, 2020

Remote work to continue

Employees are allowed to work in offices only if it is absolutely necessary. Their numbers should not exceed 30 per cent of the total workforce. The rest of the workforce can continue working remotely from home. Meetings should be held at the office only if it is absolutely necessary. Attendees should not exceed five people and they must adhere to the safe distance rule.
Dubai reopens malls, shopping centres

Detailed protocols are being put to place as Dubai has announced reopening shopping malls, public transport and commercial offices in the advent of Ramadan. Dubai's Higher Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management has also announced a partial relaxation of the movement restrictions in the emirate. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced that public transport services in the emirate will start from Sunday, with restricted timings and precautionary measures.

Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management announces partial ease of restrictions. Here are some rules and guidelines for the construction and manufacturing sector. pic.twitter.com/xHIAhJr0fp
- Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 23, 2020

Dubai's 24-hour sterilisation programme from 10pm to 6am
Dubai's 24-hour national sterilisation programme timings will be revised during the Holy Month of Ramadan, sources have confirmed to Khaleej Times. Along with the rest of the country, Dubai's programme will run from 10pm to 6am, but residents will need to follow strict guidelines on social distancing and masks while adhering to other precautionary measures.
Malls in Abu Dhabi

According to a guideline issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) for malls and shopping centres an array of precautionary measures should be taken for the reopening.
Emirates, Etihad to fly to more destinations

UAE-based airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways will operate passenger services various locations from next week. Emirates flights will take passengers to Frankfurt, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Lagos, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manila and Tunis. These services will facilitate residents and visitors wishing to return home.  Those who wish to travel to Johannesburg, Lagos and Tunis must contact the respective embassy or consulate for these countries in the UAE. Only citizens of the destination countries, and those who meet the entry requirements of the destination will be allowed to board.
12 paramedics tested positive for Covid-19 in Dubai 
A total of 12 paramedics, out of the 1,200 working in Dubai at the moment, has been tested positive for Covid-19, said the head of Dubai Corporation Ambulance Services. Dubai Ambulance service vehicles will be converted to mobile testing centres with in-built testing facilities and trained paramedics on board. Two such Dubai Ambulance cars have been prepared for this service. Later, this van will be handed over to the Dubai Health Authority for testing of the swabs.
25 to 100% discount for 26,000 Gems students
Parents of over 26,000 Gems Education students who applied for the Covid-19 Relief Package have received discounts on the current term's fees ranging from 25 per cent to 100 per cent in cases of extreme hardship. The average school fee discount offered currently stands at 33 per cent, said a statement issued by Gems Education.
"All Gems parents who have experienced a reduction in income as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, and who now have limited means to settle tuition fees were invited to apply for the relief package, with thousands applying in just a matter of days," said Dino Varkey, CEO at GEMS Education.
Emirates post resumes services to 12 countries
Emirates Post resumed its standard and express international postal services to 12 European destinations. The destinations include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, in addition to existing services to Saudi Arabia and Sudan. Emirates Post had temporarily suspended its standard and express services, following the restrictions placed on the transport and aviation industry to curb the outbreak of Covid-19.
TRA approves 6 apps for telehealth services
The UAE's Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) on Thursday announced six new apps to provide remote healthcare services for residents.  The new apps include Mind Mina Telemedicine, NextGenGP Telehealth, vSee, Okadoc, Doxy and GetBee. Launched in coordination with etisalat and du, the apps are available on all networks until further notice. Dr Atul Anant Aundhekar, CEO of Avivo Group, said telehealth service will help the chronic illness patients and residents to receive continuous medical service.
Video-conferencing for civil cases in Abu Dhabi
All trial sessions for civil cases in Abu Dhabi can be conducted remotely via video-conferencing to ensure continuity during Covid-19, authorities announced on Wednesday.  The Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance said that it has endorsed the use of teleconferencing to conduct remote hearings in civil cases throughout the emirate. The aim is to discuss the issues raised between the disputing parties and to try to reach an amicable settlement that preserves the rights of each other. In case of disagreement, the matter would be referred to the competent court in accordance with the established procedures.
Cops respond to worker's distress post on Twitter
The Ajman Police have assisted an Asian worker who called out for help via social media, urging for medical test as he feared to have contracted Covid-19. In a video posted on Twitter, he also claimed that his company failed to assist him and his fellow workers.
The worker was found reeling under high fever, cough and dyspnoea. The police asked the Ajman Medical Zone to rush an ambulance to the accommodation. The medical staff carried out examinations and laboratory tests, which showed that the man was not suffering from coronavirus, and was down with influenza and cold.
Covid-positive mums may lose kids' custody until they are disease-free
Divorced mothers may lose their children's custody temporarily if they have tested positive for Covid-19, legal authorities have clarified.
Legal advisors at the Sharjah courts said that Covid-positive mothers will have to prove their recovery and fitness to retain the custody of their children.

9-year-old awaiting flight to Malaysia
A Malaysian mother will be reunited with her son, who was abducted by his father, as soon as the international flight restrictions will be eased in the UAE.
The mother's legal battle for the custody of her nine-year-old son was heard by all three court levels over a span of one year before the Dubai Court of Personal Status awarded custody to the 38-year-old mother. Earlier, the case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction by the courts of the first instance and appeal. The case was then moved to the cessation court which overturned the rulings of the lower courts and ordered a new panel of judges at the court of the first instance.
Meet residents who took time off work to serve at Covid-19 centre
A team of 25 young volunteers form the core crisis management team at the Warsan Covid-19 isolation facility, said to be the largest of its kind in the UAE.  The team members - all from the Kerala state of India and in the age group 30-40 years - have taken time off their respective businesses and work schedules to give their 100 per cent to what they said was the 'nation's call for duty'. Most of the core members have left their homes and taken up staff accommodations on the premises of the facility in order to be present 24X7 to help or support the Covid-19 positive 'guests', as they call them. These volunteers include IT professionals, businessmen, restaurant owners, people from the logistic field, garage owners and others.