Coronavirus: UAE records 239 new cases

Mass testing and one of the world's fastest vaccination drives have helped the country to curb the pandemic

The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National

An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National

The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National

Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National

CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National

Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National

People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE recorded 239 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking the overall tally of infections to 895,018.

Another 431 people overcame the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 876,495.

No deaths have been reported since March 7 and this toll remains at 2,302.

The latest cases were confirmed after 256,333 additional PCR tests were conducted over the past 24 hours.

Mass testing and one of the world's fastest vaccination drives has helped the UAE to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Authorities have confirmed 100 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose, with 97.44 per cent fully vaccinated.

Masks remain mandatory indoors across the UAE and officials have encouraged people to regularly sanitise their hands and avoid crowded places.

But rules are also lifting as the UAE cautiously emerges from the pandemic.

On Wednesday, the UAE said it would allow unvaccinated Emiratis to travel overseas from Saturday, April 16.

Citizens must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours of travel under the updated Covid-19 safety measures announced on Wednesday during the UAE biweekly Covid-19 briefing.

Travellers under the age of 16 who are not vaccinated will not be required to take a PCR test on arrival in the UAE.

Authorities had banned unvaccinated citizens from travelling from January 10 as part of efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

The ban came into effect after the Omicron coronavirus variant prompted a surge in infection rates around the world.

Coronavirus pandemic around the world - in pictures

A young woman receives a Pfizer jab in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo

A girl wearing a face mask rides on a merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany. AP Photo

People travel on a London underground tube train on the Jubilee Line, in London, during the pandemic. AP Photo

People wait for the tram in Vienna, Austria, amid the crisis. AP Photo

A woman passes by an empty terrace in the Marrolles quarter in Brussels, Belgium. AP Photo

A teacher gives online lessons via webcam at the temporarily closed elementary school in the town of Trebisov, eastern Slovakia. TASR via AP

Hairdressers and clients wear masks in Amsterdam, Netherlands. AFP

A man disinfects seats for tourists at a beach in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. EPA

Israeli boy Itamar, 5, receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Meuhedet Healthcare Services Organisation in Tel Aviv. AFP

A patient suffering from Covid-19 is admitted in the intensive care unit of the Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

A health worker prepares to administer the AstraZeneca jab in Abuja, Nigeria. AFP