Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health announced that in the past 24 hours, no deaths related to Covid-19 were recorded for the first time in two years.
The announcement highlights the kingdom's fight against the pandemic and its move towards normality with eased Covid-19 restrictions across the country.
Jose Manuel Barroso, chairman of the vaccine alliance Gavi, said Saudi Arabia played a critical role in the global coronavirus response.
"In November 2020, as the chair of the G20 Summit in Riyadh, the country succeeded in mobilising donors to commit sizable funding to respond internationally to the Covid-19 pandemic, amounting to over $825 million including vaccines, medical supplies and medical equipment for 33 countries," Mr Barroso said.
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday recorded 116 new cases of which only two were reported to be critical. The kingdom has administered more than 63 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine to residents and nationals.
So far, the kingdom has recorded a total of 751,296 cases and 9,050 deaths. The first death in the country attributed to coronavirus infection was reported on March 24, 2020.
Saudi Arabia has eased restrictions and opened its borders to unvaccinated pilgrims to perform Umrah and pray in the two holy mosques, if they are not infected with the coronavirus and have not been in contact with a person who has.
Pilgrims no longer need to book a prayer slot or show proof of vaccination to enter the Grand Mosque in Makkah or the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
The kingdom has said that Covid-19 cases have dropped by 90 per cent, while critical cases have fallen by 45 per cent in the past few weeks.
Saudi Arabia lifted Covid-19 related precautionary measures including social distancing in public areas.
But people have to wear masks indoors and in the two Grand Mosques.
ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
