Live updates: follow the latest news on Covid-19 variant Omicron
Demand for PCR testing surged as pupils returned to schools and workplaces after the winter break.
Demand was greatest at clinics that offer more affordable testing rates, starting at Dh50. All clinics run by Abu Dhabi's Seha group have tests for Dh50.
Many testing centres are offering free PCR screening with the purchase of a ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai, which means it could cost you as little as Dh45.
Be advised that some screening centres now said results can take up to 48 hours, up from less than 12 hours a month ago.
Many companies have implemented stricter workplace regulations after the New Year celebrations, requesting staff working in offices to test more regularly to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Here is a list of some clinics offering affordable PCR testing in the UAE.
Dubai
Seha Covid-19 screening centre, City Walk, Dubai
Price: Dh50 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Drive through (book via mobile application)
Opening times: 10am to 8pm
Location: City Walk and Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai
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General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Jafiliya, Dubai
Price: Dh80 for labourers (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in
Opening times: 7am to 11pm
Location: Jafiliya, Dubai
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Rizek mobile application, Dubai
Price: Dh99 for home PCR test (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Home visit (book via mobile application and use code RR99)
Opening times: 7am to 11pm
Location: Dubai
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Mena Labs drive-through Covid-19 screening tent, Umm Suqeim Road
Price: Dh110 for PCR test (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Drive through (no appointment necessary)
Opening times: 7am to midnight
Location: Umm Suqeim Road, Dubai
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Abu Dhabi
Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: PCR testing centre is available at building F (appointments not necessary but preferred)
Opening times: 8am to 5pm
Location: Airport Road, Abu Dhabi
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Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital
Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in on first floor
Opening times: 10am to 9pm, Saturday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm, Friday
Location: Khalifa Street, next to First Abu Dhabi Bank
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Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dh50 (results within 24 to 48 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in on first floor
Opening times: 9am to 9pm
Location: Muroor Road
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NMC Bareen International Hospital, Abu Dhabi
Price: Dh50 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in or drive-through (no appointment required)
Opening times: Walk-in is 10am to 10pm; drive-through is 24/7
Location: Mohammad bin Zayed City, Zone 15
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Sharjah
Seha Covid-19 screening centre, Al Bait Metwahhed, Sharjah
Price: Dh50 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Drive through (book via mobile application)
Opening times: 10am to 8pm
Location: Al Bait Metwahhed, Sharjah
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NMC Medical Centre, Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah
Price: Dh100 for PCR test (results within 72 hours)
Appointment: Walk in
Opening times: 8am to 8pm
Location: Buhairah Corniche, Sharjah
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Thumbay Hospital Sharjah
Price: Dh100 for PCR test (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Walk in
Opening times: 9am to midnight
Location: Thumbay Hospital Daycare, University City Road, Muweila, Sharjah
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance
The view from The National
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