Abu Dhabi frontline workers to get housing support and discounts on flights

Support is being given to those who work on the front lines, fighting against spread of the coronavirus

Medical staff at Dubai's Mina Rashid drive-through testing centre smile for the camera. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Staff take DPI blood test samples, which give an indication of whether someone has the virus

Medics bag up samples at the drive-through, which is one of the country's busiest

The DPI sample blood sample allows drivers to cross the border into Abu Dhabi - but a PCR nasal swab test is needed to travel abroad

Staff have worked in gowns and other PPE gear throughout the sweltering summer

People get tested tests at Mina Rashid screening centre

Queues of vehicles are commonly seen outside the centre

Staff work to give people a result in just minutes

Staff work to give people a result in just minutes

Frontline workers in the Abu Dhabi will be offered financial support for housing, cheaper travel, and given discounts at entertainment and hospitality venues in the emirate under a new agreement between the government and some private companies.

More than 80,000 medical professionals, police, service care providers and volunteers, who are listed in the Frontline Heroes Office registry, will benefit from the programme.

The office partnered with Aldar Properties, Etihad Aviation Group and Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism to support those who have been working on the UAE's front lines to fight the spread of Covid-19.

The companies will announce details of the discounts in the coming days. This is expected to include travel discounts on Etihad Airways, free access to select Abu Dhabi cultural, entertainment and hospitality facilities, housing-related financial support at Aldar Properties' developments and special activities to celebrate and recognise their contributions.

“As a nation, we are uniting behind our frontline heroes to provide support, recognition and appreciation for their never-ending commitment to protect us in times of great need,” said Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, chairman of the Frontline Heroes Office’s board.

He said the office aimed to "help our brave heroes and their families deal with the unique challenges they are enduring while battling on the frontline.”

Emirati Aysha Al Blooshi is an advanced paramedic and her colleague Marwan Al Mansoori, from Yemen, is an emergency responder. Both work at the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. Leslie Pableo for The National

Faisal Kamil, a father of three from Sudan, is a quality control manager at City Transport in Abu Dhabi. His team sanitises buses in the capital to ensure essential workers can get to supermarkets and hospitals. Victor Besa / The National

Leen Fares, from Syria, is a chemist. The Dubai resident has twice the number of customers and works long days to sure they get the medicine they need. Reem Mohammed / The National

Navas Ellias, from India, is a taxi driver. He says the public have been positive about him remaining at the wheel to take people on essential journeys to supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Faqir Mohammad, from Pakistan, is a gardener. Temperatures are taken at his housing accommodation to eliminate the spread of the virus. Reem Mohammed / The National

Emirati doctor Fatima Al Kaabi, from Abu Dhabi's SKMC, works 12 to 18 hours a day and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Victor Besa / The National

Taha Hussein, from Egypt, is a barber at the Hair & Beard gents' salon near Ibn Batutta Mall in Dubai. He uses disposable capes and blades, as well as hand sanitiser, to protect his customers. Pawan Singh / The National

Bandana Rai, from Nepal, is a cashier at Lulu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi. It is among the few stores allowed open to ensure shoppers can get essentials. She says she feels safe because the company has installed thermal scanners and has given staff gloves and masks. Victor Besa / The National

Mutaz Kamal, from Jordan, is the manager at Souq Planet in Abu Dhabi's Etihad Plaza. Souq Planet's owners also make cleaning products, meaning his shop is well stocked with hand sanitiser. Victor Besa / The National

Emirati Afra Al Dhaheri is a vet and owns the capital's Cloud9 Pet Hotel. She offers free board and services for the pets of medical staff fighting the coronavirus pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

Dr Valerie Battistella, from France, is a vet at the Vienna Veterinary Clinic in Dubai. "The public has been surprised that we are open but also very very grateful." Chris Whiteoak / The National

Mohammad Sajid Ali, from India, is an alphamed technician with the Tadweer sterilisation team in Abu Dhabi. He says: "I do my job for the children; I want to keep them safe." Victor Besa / The National

Left to right: Soyab Bhasea, from India and Mohammad Zayed, from Pakistan, are delivery drivers for a distribution company, delivering goods to supermarkets and warehouses. Mohammad says: "I have to continue my work in these times. Allah hafiz [God will protect us]." Reem Mohammed / The National

Muhammad Asif, from Pakistan, is a security guard at the Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel in Dubai. “I ask the delivery men to leave the packages outside and I bring it in. I cannot take any risks," he says. "We have many long-term occupants and a great number of them are elderly.” Pawan Singh / The National

Omar Edehmen, from Morrocco, is the head butcher at Souq Planet in Abu Dhabi. He says: "The first thing I do before I go to my work area is to thoroughly wash my hands before putting on my gloves. When I remove my gloves, I use hand sanitiser. If I know I touched something out of the work area, I wash my hands again before putting a new pair of gloves. A face mask is also always used when in the work area." Victor Besa / The National

Sanjay Kumar, from India, is a food delivery driver. He says: "Now, wherever I deliver the food, I leave the food package at the security reception or at the reception of the building, as customers are paying for the orders online. We are also using face masks, gloves, and washing and sanitising our hands regularly for safety." Sanjay works at the Indian restaurant Manvaar near Karama Fish Market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Servesh Yadav, from India, is an Abu Dhabi free zone maintenance worker. Such crews ensure the ports can work around the clock to keep vital supplies coming in. Victor Besa / The National

Bam Babhdur, from Nepal, is a cleaner at the Khalidiyah Mall. He says: "I have protective equipment to keep safe. I am not scared; I am doing my duty." Victor Besa / The National

Mohamed Al Mubarak, who is chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism as well as Aldar Properties, said the agreements reflected the government's aim to support medics who treat Covid-19 patients despite risk of infection.

“We must ... ensure that our talented and dedicated frontline heroes receive the support they need and the recognition that encourages them to continue this journey,” he said.

Children of frontline workers are also eligible for free education in public schools through the Hayyakum programme that launched last month.

Dr Abir Darwish is a paediatrician in Abu Dhabi whose two daughters have benefited from the education initiative.

She is now saving Dh40,000 yearly on tuition fees, but said house rent remains as one of the highest expenses.

“It’s a great initiative by the government. Rents often cost as much or sometimes more than the school fees, so support would be helpful to frontline workers, many who spend hours away from their own loved ones to serve the nation and fight against the virus,” said Dr Darwish.

The special registry by the Frontline Heroes Office was formed to recognise and support frontline workers.

Tens of thousands of them continue their work to contain the spread of the virus.