Suspected Covid-19 outbreak shuts Dubai's Philippines labour office

The labour office for Philippine nationals in Dubai has been temporarily closed due to a possible outbreak of Covid-19.

Work at the Philippines Overseas Labour Office was suspended on Sunday for at least two days while disinfection was being carried out.

A notice posted by the office advised anyone who visited the premises in recent days to take PCR tests for coronavirus as a precaution.

It is the second time Philippine government services have been suspended in Dubai in recent weeks.

Consular services for Filipinos living in the UAE were also suspended for two days after a suspected outbreak of Covid-19 at the offices in Al Qusais 3 on January 17.

Philippine nationals with existing appointments for the closure period will be contacted through their registered mobile number or email address.

Immediate assistance can be availed by calling the Labour Office hotline on 050 652 6626 or via email at polodubai@ymail.com, or the Owwa hotline on 050 558 5536 or email dubai@owwa.gov.ph.

Philippines Expo 2020 pavilion takes shape

Hjayceelyn Quintana, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, visits the Bangkota pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Philippines Expo Pavilion
The Philippines' pavilion at Expo 2020 wil celebrate sustainability and encourage people across the globe to embrace nature. Courtesy: Philippines Expo 2020
The Philippines' pavilion will call on the world to protect precious marine life across a network of thousands of islands in the country. Courtesy Philippines Expo 2020
The pavilion was named Bangkota, which is the ancient Tagalog word for coral reef. Courtesy: Philippines Expo 2020
The Philippines Expo 2020 pavilion aims to tell a story of interconnectedness. Courtesy: Philippines Expo 2020

Important questions to consider

1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?

There are different types of travel available for pets:

Manifest cargo
Excess luggage in the hold
Excess luggage in the cabin

Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.

2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?

If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.

If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.

3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?

As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.

If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.

If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.

4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?

This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.

In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.

5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?

Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.

Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.

Source: Pawsome Pets UAE

Fight card

1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)

2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)

3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)

4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)

5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)

6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)

7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)

8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)

9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)

10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)

11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)

12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)

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