• People will no longer have to wear face masks outside. The rule applies across the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National
    People will no longer have to wear face masks outside. The rule applies across the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Masks must still be worn in all public indoor areas, such as shopping centres and schools. Pawan Singh / The National
    Masks must still be worn in all public indoor areas, such as shopping centres and schools. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The UAE has scrapped PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. AFP
    The UAE has scrapped PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers. AFP
  • Tracking wristbands that were in use in Abu Dhabi to monitor the movement of people with Covid-19 will no longer be used during home isolation. Photo: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
    Tracking wristbands that were in use in Abu Dhabi to monitor the movement of people with Covid-19 will no longer be used during home isolation. Photo: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
  • Ncema has approved the return of the pre-pandemic time intervals between the first and second prayer calls. AFP
    Ncema has approved the return of the pre-pandemic time intervals between the first and second prayer calls. AFP

UAE reports 318 new Covid-19 cases after 373,822 tests


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The UAE reported 318 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday after a further 373,822 tests were carried out.

The new cases bring the total number of infections recorded in the country to 886,301.

For the ninth consecutive day, officials said there were no Covid-19 deaths in the 24-hour reporting period. Only one fatality has been recorded so far this month.

Another 1,073 people beat the virus, as the recovery total climbed to 854,326.

Mass testing of the public and a nationwide vaccination campaign have been central to the UAE's coronavirus strategy.

More than 24.3 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered to the public to date, with about 96.6 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.

The comprehensive screening strategy has led to more than 143 million tests being conducted across the Emirates.

Authorities on Monday announced the return of iftar tents during Ramadan for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The marquees had been cancelled for the past two years to prevent gatherings and limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Ramadan is expected to begin on April 2, but the start date is to be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.

Prior to the pandemic, large tents were typically erected next to mosques and often provided meals to low-income workers.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will reopen its borders from next month.

Australians will be allowed to travel to the country from April 12, while vaccinated travellers from countries with visa waiver arrangements, including the UAE, the US, the UK, Germany, Canada, Japan and Singapore, can enter from May 1, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday.

Updated: March 16, 2022, 10:01 AM