• 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.

Health

Coronavirus: Dubai's rumour-busting Covid-19 WhatsApp service receives 54,800 requests for help

The service offers key information on the pandemic and aims to counter misinformation about the virus

The National

October 01, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A Covid-19 messaging service established by health chiefs in Dubai has received more than 50,000 requests for support in less than six months.

The Dubai Health Authority WhatsApp service was rolled out in April to answer pressing concerns about the pandemic.

The automated 24-hour platform has handled 54,881 unique requests from the public on a raft of issues relating to Covid-19.

The authority said the scheme was key to efforts to provide accurate information about the virus and debunk myths and rumours about its spread.

The most asked question is: "Am I eligible for a coronavirus test and what is the procedure to get the test?"

The next most popular queries are "Can I get a coronavirus medical certificate?" and "I suspect that there is a sick person with Coronavirus, what do I do?"

Fatma Al Khaja, director of the Customer Happiness Department at DHA, said the service has offered crucial assistance for people searching for verified information and advice about coronavirus.

"We wanted a system that would respond to patients’ queries timeously and to give people a credible channel to receive accurate information. The system provides users with an opportunity to learn more about the virus, get UAE statistics and even find out if they are eligible for a coronavirus test," the official said.

DHA has partnered with Facebook for a social media advertising campaign aimed at driving more people to government websites for official information on the pandemic.

Between April and September, the DHA ads on Instagram and Facebook have reached more than six million unique users and have been viewed more than 36 million times.

"Facebook is supporting the global public health community’s work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis," said Ramez Shehadi, managing director for Facebook MENA.

"By partnering with the DHA on the WhatsApp service, we are empowering people to access accurate information at the touch of a button, supporting those who require the services and making it easier for people to get tested."

The DHA WhatsApp hotline utilises artificial intelligence to provide quick and accurate information.

To access the service, users can add 800 342 to their phone contacts and send "Hi" on WhatsApp.

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On Women's Day

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Trump and Covid-19
The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8 
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k

Results

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

 

UAECoronavirus