UAE fully prepared to host Expo 2020 Dubai safely, says Covid-19 authority

The public was also reminded to follow coronavirus rules and help preserve the country’s achievements in fighting the pandemic

The nearly finished UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai replicates the shape of a falcon's wings. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2020 will be 13,069 square metres - the second largest pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

A total of 126 columns will be erected inside the Bahrain pavilion to create a steel 'forest'. Photo: Bahrain Expo 2020 Dubai

The Omani pavilion, called Opportunities Over Time, will be part of the Mobility Thematic District and split into five zones. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Kuwait's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai replicates the funnel of a water tower. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

The Lebanon pavilion for Expo 2020 in Dubai is simple in its design. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Morocco's pavilion contains 14 exhibition spaces connected by a continuous ‘inner street’, which begins at the building’s uppermost floor and gradually descends to the ground. Photo: Expo Morocco

An artist's rendering of an exhibit inside Syria's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

An artist's rendering of an exhibit inside Yemen's pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reviews final preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here

The UAE is fully prepared to host Expo 2020 Dubai with strict coronavirus safety measures in place, the authorities said on Tuesday.

With the opening of the event just two days away, Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, said the country was "fully prepared to manage large-scale global events while ensuring the safety of all visitors and tourists".

He reminded the public to follow Covid-19 rules and to preserve the country’s achievements in fighting the pandemic.

“It is a national responsibility,” he said at a weekly Covid-19 briefing. “We trust people will continue to be aware and adhere to all the protocols.

“At this phase, social integration is essential to return to a new normal life. We recommend following all measures, regular testing and getting vaccinated.”

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed visits the Expo 2020 Dubai site to review the safety and security preparations ahead of the event. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The UAE leads the world in vaccinating its population with at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

A comprehensive and free national vaccination campaign began in December last year.

Vaccination centres were quickly set up all over the country.

“To support the vaccine drive and its safe use, a national team was formed to oversee all studies and research on the Covid-19 vaccines, whether conducted by international health organisations or in the UAE,” Dr Al Ameri said.

“All information on vaccines, including booster shots and how to get them, are announced according to the findings of the team with great transparency to ensure everyone is well informed.”

He said the UAE has been transparent by providing all the information through government media briefings as well as other official channels.

“All information and protocols on the pandemic are shared through official platforms, in addition to information on the vaccines and other important topics,” he said.

“We call upon the people to confirm the accuracy of news being shared on social media.

“We stress the need to obtain information from official accredited sources to avoid legal liability.

“The spread of misinformation and rumours is damaging, as it hinders the country’s efforts to recover across different sectors.”

On Tuesday, the UAE reported 277 new coronavirus cases and 329 recoveries.

Officials said no one died from the virus.

The country has recorded 735,457 cases, 727,845 recoveries and 2,094 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the Emirates on January 29 last year.

More than 90,500 doses of Covid-19 vaccine were administered, bringing the total percentage of fully vaccinated people in the UAE to 83.03 per cent. Currently, 93.71 per cent have had at least one dose.

The total number of vaccine doses administered since the start of the pandemic is 19,963,359.

UAE vaccination campaign - in pictures

A woman receives a dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine at the Sikh temple in Jebel Ali. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in Jebel Ali teamed up with Tamouh Healthcare to provide on-site Sinopharm vaccination for all UAE residents free of charge.

Guru Nanak Darbar hosted an event at the Sikh temple in Dubai to vaccinate 4,500 adults of various nationalities and religions in February.

A medic administers a shot of Sinopharm vaccine at the temple in Jebel Ali.

People wait to receive a shot of the Sinopharm vaccine at the temple.