• People walk around in the Al Karama area of Dubai as life in the UAE beings to resemble pre-pandemic times. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    People walk around in the Al Karama area of Dubai as life in the UAE beings to resemble pre-pandemic times. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The country has got to grips with curbing the spread of Covid-19.
    The country has got to grips with curbing the spread of Covid-19.
  • The UAE registered its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 infections in 20 months.
    The UAE registered its lowest daily tally of new Covid-19 infections in 20 months.
  • More than 100 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the UAE to date.
    More than 100 million coronavirus tests have been conducted in the UAE to date.
  • People wearing masks are out shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.
    People wearing masks are out shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.
  • The UAE's extensive vaccination campaign has been widely credited with helping to drive down case numbers.
    The UAE's extensive vaccination campaign has been widely credited with helping to drive down case numbers.
  • New daily cases have remained below 100 for five weeks.
    New daily cases have remained below 100 for five weeks.
  • Authorities confirmed last week that 100 per cent of the eligible population had now received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.
    Authorities confirmed last week that 100 per cent of the eligible population had now received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.
  • More than 90 per cent of the UAE population are fully vaccinated.
    More than 90 per cent of the UAE population are fully vaccinated.
  • A masked worker pushes a trolley laden with water bottles in the Al Karama area of Dubai.
    A masked worker pushes a trolley laden with water bottles in the Al Karama area of Dubai.
  • Social distancing stickers pasted at a bus stop serve as a warning to travellers in Dubai.
    Social distancing stickers pasted at a bus stop serve as a warning to travellers in Dubai.
  • People shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.
    People shopping in the Al Karama area of Dubai.

Government

Two gyms and a department store shut down in Dubai for flouting Covid-19 rules

A further 28 businesses were issued with fines during inspections in the emirate on Saturday

The National

January 26, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Two gyms and a department store were shut down for breaching Covid-19 safety measures.

A further 28 firms were hit with fines for breaching regulations as part of a clampdown led by Dubai's Department of Economic Development.

The offences were uncovered during a series of inspections of open markets and commercial premises on Saturday.

The authority said the gyms were closed for breaking "precautionary guidelines against Covid-19", while the department store was shut down for failing to enforce physical distancing protocols.

The financial penalties were issued for breaches related to the wearing of face masks and physical distancing during a sweep of Al Barsha, Souq Al Kabeer, Al Murar, Al Baraha, Oud Metha, Al Nahda, Burj Khalifa, Al Quoz, Al Bada'a and various shopping malls.

Inspectors found 480 establishments had fully complied with strict guidelines governing the operation of businesses during the pandemic.

Traders caught out included those dealing in mobile phones and accessories, document processing, textiles, travel and inbound tours. Money exchange houses, photo studios, therapeutic massage service providers, print and copy services, and physiotherapy were also on the list – in addition to gyms.

The department called on businesses to adhere to safety measures and urged the public to report infractions through the Dubai Consumer App available on Apple, Google and Huawei stores, by calling 600 545 555, or via the Consumerrights.ae website.

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure' ​​​​
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse

Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books 

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

Other pavilions revealed
While you're here
'I Want You Back'

Director:Jason Orley

Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day

Rating:4/5

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

'The Ice Road'

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne

2/5

Joy%20Ride%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adele%20Lim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAshley%20Park%2C%20Sherry%20Cola%2C%20Stephanie%20Hsu%2C%20Sabrina%20Wu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

CoronavirusUAE