UAE to hold special Covid-19 briefing today

Government will provide updates on country's fight against the virus during broadcast

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  Mandatory checking of the Al Hosn app by security at every entrance of the Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Al Hosn green pass awareness signs are placed at every entrance of Khalidiyah Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  An EDE scanner sign at the main entrance of Khalidiyah Mall. The scanners can detect whether a person may have coronavirus. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Masks are worn to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Antonie Robertson/The National

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  Yas Mall Al Hosn signs. Victor Besa / The National

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  Yas Clinic screening centre at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  The UAE has taken robust action to help stem the spread of Covid-19 since the virus first emerged two-and-a-half years ago. Victor Besa / The National

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  A number of safety measures governing the economy, education, travel and the health sector were introduced as part of a major drive to protect public health. Victor Besa / The National

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  Some restrictions have been eased in recent months — including the wearing of masks outdoors — but other rules remain in place. Victor Besa / The National

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  Yas Clinic screening centre at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  A member of staff takes a Covid-19 sample at the NMC Royal Hospital in DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A person with two positive tests is a confirmed case in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A member of staff cleans a surgery room at the NMC Royal Hospital in DIP, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Covid-19 cases are on the rise in UAE and authorities have told residents to wear masks as a preventive measure. Pawan Singh / The National

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  In Dubai, anyone with a positive PCR test for Covid-19 is a confirmed case. That means you have to isolate for 10 days, even if you do not have symptoms. Pawan Singh / The National

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  In Dubai, the 10-day home isolation period is mandatory. The first day is the day you took the PCR test. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Covid testing carried out at Seha Covid-19 Drive Through Screening Centre Rabdan, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  At a coronavirus briefing on Monday, authorities said the wearing of face masks in indoor public settings would be strictly enforced, with Dh3,000 fines for those breaching rules. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The UAE government will hold a special Covid-19 media briefing on Monday afternoon.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said today's broadcast would contain Covid-19 updates without elaborating further.

Such briefings have taken place regularly during the pandemic — at first weekly before being reduced to fortnightly — to provide vital information to the public on the country's fight against the virus. The briefings have included announcements of new safety measures.

What time is the Covid briefing?

The briefing will be held at 5.30pm on Monday, September 26.

The Ncema stopped holding the briefings in May, saying they would be "reinstated only if exceptional developments arise regarding the pandemic in the country".

When was the last Covid briefing?

Special broadcasts were previously held in July and August to set out safety rules for the Eid Al Adha break and the return of thousands of pupils to schools for the new academic year.

The briefings have typically been broadcast on the Dubai One television station as well as government social media channels.

How many Covid cases have been recorded in the UAE?

Daily Covid-19 cases have dropped significantly following a spike in infection rates in June and July.

Sunday's total of 355 new cases was the lowest recorded in four months.

Case numbers have remained below 500 since August 31.

What are the Covid rules in the UAE?

Authorities have gradually relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in recent months.

In February, the UAE lifted requirements to wear face coverings in outdoor places. Meanwhile, motorists travelling to Abu Dhabi from other emirates no longer need to show their green pass status on Al Hosn app.

Nearly 615 million Covid-19 cases have been confirmed across the world since the virus emerged in late 2019, with more than 6.5 million deaths.

The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a pandemic in March 2020.

But the global health body believes there is cause for optimism in the world’s fight against the virus.

“We are not there yet. But the end is in sight,” WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week.

Comprehensive vaccination drives have helped to stem the spread of the virus, slowing death rates and reducing hospital admissions.

President Joe Biden has declared the pandemic over in the US, although coronavirus-related deaths in the country continue to rise.