• Safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina. Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina. Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Covid-19 safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina, Dubai.
    Covid-19 safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina, Dubai.
  • A "stay safe" sign in Jumeirah.
    A "stay safe" sign in Jumeirah.
  • A man makes his deliveries on a moped in the Marina, Dubai.
    A man makes his deliveries on a moped in the Marina, Dubai.
  • A man at the marina hoses down a boat.
    A man at the marina hoses down a boat.
  • A Five hotel employee puts luggage through a Ultra Violet sanitiser machine.
    A Five hotel employee puts luggage through a Ultra Violet sanitiser machine.
  • The Waterfront Market in Deira, Dubai.
    The Waterfront Market in Deira, Dubai.
  • People look at artwork for sale at Anyahh Art in Dubai.
    People look at artwork for sale at Anyahh Art in Dubai.
  • A man wearing a mask at Anyahh Art, Dubai.
    A man wearing a mask at Anyahh Art, Dubai.
  • A woman takes pictures in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, with a protective mask on.
    A woman takes pictures in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, with a protective mask on.
  • A Covid-19 message is painted on a Dubai street.
    A Covid-19 message is painted on a Dubai street.
  • A couple walk home from the shops in JVC, Dubai.
    A couple walk home from the shops in JVC, Dubai.

Ban on high-fives among Covid checklist for all Dubai parents


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Pupils must disinfect books, smart devices and lunch boxes every day at school, Dubai's government has said.

A ban on high-fives, sharing food and spreading rumours about Covid-19 are also some of the measures in place to protect youngsters from contagion.

Dubai Health Authority has reissued guidance to parents, children and teachers as numbers of new cases soared two weeks after pupils went back to school following a six-month break.

Dr Hend Al Awadhi, head of health promotion and education at the DHA, said children needed to be reminded of the threats to public health.

Parents should put in place a daily sanitisation routine with cloth masks washed daily

"While school-going kids have settled into the new normal, it is important to speak with children regularly so parents can notice if a child has settled in well or is experiencing any uneasiness or anxiety," she said.

"Parents should put in place a daily sanitisation routine with cloth masks washed daily.

"If the mask has a filter, it should be removed and reinserted after the mask is dry.

"The filter should be changed every ten days."

Everyday equipment such as schools books, smart devices, lunch boxes and bags must be sanitised every day, and masks must be worn at all times once pupils have left home.

Children were told to clean pens, glasses and headphones with a 60 per cent alcohol solution to guard against the virus while sitting together with groups of friends is also now banned.

Pupils arriving at the school gates are encouraged not to make physical contact with friends and avoid the classroom altogether if experiencing any signs of the virus such as fever, cough or loss of taste or smell.

Daily coronavirus cases climbed past 1,000 on Saturday to hit levels not recorded since May.

That figure was pegged back to 640 on Sunday, with positive results taken from 84,642 tests. No further deaths were reported.

Classrooms opened to face-to-face teaching for thousands of pupils on August 30.

Many children across the UAE have not been in school since March.

Dr Al Awadhi said parents had a duty to educate youngsters on the importance of hygiene and physical distancing outside of the home.

"Parents must educate children into following safety instructions to protect their health and the health of their family members," she said.

"This will also keep their fellow school friends, teachers and staff at the school healthy," said Dr Al Awadhi.

"Physical distancing is one of the most basic elements in protecting children, their classmates and their family.

"All house members, including house help, should ensure they adhere to all precautionary measures at all times."

Dos

  • Greet others without any contact
  • Wash or sanitise your hands frequently
  • Wear your mask the entire time you are at school. Put cloth masks in a pouch when you eat your snack or lunch. If you use a disposable mask, dispose of it correctly and use a new one after eating your food
  • Maintain physical distancing
  • Bring your own food from home
  • Stay home if you have any respiratory symptoms
  • Clean and disinfect your desk

Don’ts

  • Handshakes and high-fives
  • Share food with others
  • Share your mask with others
  • Sit with a big group of friends
  • Touch your eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands
  • Throw your mask in undesignated places
  • Exchange books and stationary
  • Spread rumours about Covid-19

The personal items most susceptible to contamination are:

  • School bag
  • Lunch box
  • Headphones
  • Pen and notebook
  • Smart devices
  • Glasses
  • Children's toys
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)

Sunday

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)

Monday

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

German intelligence warnings
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  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

BRIEF SCORES:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0