Latest: What are the UAE's latest Covid-19 rules on masks and close contact?
The UAE will strictly enforce the use of masks in all indoor places, the government said on Monday, as it tightened rules on Al Hosn green pass system.
At a televised media briefing, an official said there had been cases of people with Covid-19 breaching the mandatory 10-day home isolation period.
Any such breach is a criminal offence and will be dealt with robustly.
Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority, said residents must be vigilant against Covid-19.
Cases rose by 100 per cent in less than a week, while the number of hospital admissions, which was not specified, has increased. Dr Al Ameri said the wearing of masks indoors would be strictly enforced, with Dh3,000 fines for those caught without one.
The validity period of Al Hosn Green Pass app used in Abu Dhabi will also be reduced from Wednesday, June 15. In schools, it will be brought into effect on Monday, June 20.
Previously, a negative PCR result from a vaccinated person would turn the pass green for 30 days. This has been reduced to two weeks.
Dr Al Ameri said many people had stopped wearing masks in enclosed areas and this was contributing to the surge in cases.
Infections on the rise
The UAE recorded 1,319 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, continuing a recent rise in infection rates.
Another 1,076 recoveries from the virus were announced and there were no coronavirus-related deaths in the past 24 hours.
The country has reported 918,815 cases, 900,358 recoveries and 2,305 deaths to date.
Daily case numbers have declined significantly during the year, having topped 3,000 on several occasions in January.
Despite the drop in case numbers, the public is asked to remain responsible and support the country's recovery.
School closure rules
The latest updates released in April outlined procedures for the gradual closure of educational institutions in the case of confirmed Covid-19 infections, which will follow the guidelines issued by local emergency and crises committees and teams in each emirate.
“Such procedures include closing the educational establishment for three days, if the infection rate exceeds 15 per cent of the total attendance,” state news agency Wam said at the time.
Those who come into contact with Covid-19 positive cases are no longer required to quarantine, while following the guidelines issued by health authorities.
Those infected with Covid-19 or who have respiratory diseases may opt for distance learning.
The Ministry of Education and NCEMA said that all the updates are applicable nationwide. They added that their implementation will be carried out in co-ordination with each emirate's emergency, crises and disasters committee.
Current school rules
UAE schools were told they were allowed to resume all activities and events from April 21 under updated Covid-19 safety rules announced by authorities.
The Ministry of Education and NCEMA said school field trips could also be organised as part of the measures.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated pupils and staff are able to take part in such trips, providing they have green status on Al Hosn app.
Face masks must be worn in closed spaces and on buses for trips.
Parents can attend the restored events and activities in line with precautionary measures, including wearing face masks in closed spaces and following the Green Pass protocols on Al Hosn app.
Pupils at private schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are no longer required to wear masks when outdoors as part of an easing of safety restrictions announced last month.
All Abu Dhabi private school pupils were permitted to return to face-to-face learning this month.
Distance learning is no longer an option at the emirate's private schools, but pupils can be exempted if they have an attested “high risk” medical report that confirms their inability to attend school in person.
Physical distancing measures in indoor areas have also been removed and unvaccinated pupils aged 16 and above can now return to school but have to provide a negative PCR test result every week.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
More on Quran memorisation:
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
