• Shop signs in Dubai give instructions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Shop signs in Dubai give instructions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A woman waits to be tested by medical staff wearing protective equipment, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS
    A woman waits to be tested by medical staff wearing protective equipment, amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS
  • A billboard urges people to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP
    A billboard urges people to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP
  • Hospital staff prepare meals for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive patients, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS
    Hospital staff prepare meals for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive patients, at the Cleveland Clinic hospital in Abu Dhabi. REUTERS
  • Nurse Josna Job holds the Sinopharm vaccine at Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Nurse Josna Job holds the Sinopharm vaccine at Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A healthcare worker conducts a coronavirus test at a drive-through centre in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A healthcare worker conducts a coronavirus test at a drive-through centre in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Coronavirus: UAE urged to embrace virtual Eid celebrations to avoid spreading Covid-19 virus


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Do not gather with people outside of your household to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, said Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman of the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).

Instead, congratulations should be shared online.

NCEMA's Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday continued to urge residents to take precautionary measures and avoid social gatherings, and reiterated that food should not be exchanged among friends and neighbours.

Dr Saif Al Dhaheri urged residents to celebrate Eid Al Fitr online. Wam
Dr Saif Al Dhaheri urged residents to celebrate Eid Al Fitr online. Wam

It was also advised to continue wearing masks and implement physical distancing while sitting with the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

Dr Al Dhaheri stressed the importance of taking the vaccine, stating it is the responsibility of the individual to protect the community.

"The number of tests have reached 54 million and this is an achievement for the UAE. The UAE works day after day affirming that it is a global example in successfully managing this crisis," he said.

The UAE recorded 1,699 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing its total to 527,266.

The number of new cases is the lowest since January 3, when 1,501 were reported.

Another 1,686 people beat the virus, taking the recovery tally to 507,706.

The death toll now stands at 1,598, following two more fatalities during the 24-hour reporting period.

Authorities have deployed a widespread testing regimen, strict safety measures and one of the world's fastest vaccination drives to curb the pandemic.

Because of this, cases have dropped significantly after reaching close to 4,000 a day in January.

The UAE has administered 10.6 million vaccine doses – which represents a rate of 107.85 doses per 100 people.

Authorities called on the public to ensure they are vaccinated to support the country's fight against the virus.

Elsewhere, a fourth UAE aircraft loaded with Covid-19 vaccines has arrived in Syria's capital Damascus, state news agency Wam reported.

The shipment was dispatched by the Emirates Red Crescent, in co-ordination with the Syrian Red Crescent Association, to assist the country's health sector in curbing the pandemic.

It also aims to protect frontline workers in Syria, along with people suffering from chronic diseases and those displaced in camps.

Previous shipments of the vaccine were sent to the country before Ramadan.

Syria has been suffering from more than 10 years of conflict and is also dealing with the pandemic.

The aid is part of the UAE's global response to the coronavirus, which has seen the country send aid shipments to scores of countries around the world.

The BIO

Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.

Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.

Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Scoreline

Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')

Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')

Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'

UAE rugby in numbers

5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons

700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams

Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams

Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season

Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season