Today marks 100 days since the World Health Organisation was informed of Chinese patients suffering from pneumonia, caused by a mystery virus.
The cases were in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, and health officials in China had already begun to suspect the outbreak could be a coronavirus similar to Sars, the respiratory disease that killed 774 of the 8,096 people who caught it between 2002 and 2004.
After being told about the new coronavirus on December 31, the WHO published information about the outbreak on its website on January 5.
It said there was “limited information to determine the overall risk” and the “WHO does not recommend any specific measures for travellers”.
It has changed the lives of billions of people, from those mourning the more than 76,000 who died after contracting the virus and the medics treating hundreds of thousands of cases, to the millions who lost their jobs as the pandemic necessitated quarantine measures across the globe.
Those early dispatches seem to come from another life and there is now unlikely to be anyone in the world who is not aware of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus.
There is no vaccine yet and no medicine is certain to ease a patient’s symptoms, which include a fever and cough.
Ventilators to keep the most critically ill alive are in short supply, as is protective equipment for healthcare workers on the front lines in the fight against the virus.
Some countries have weathered the storm better than others.
Nations such as South Korea and Singapore, using experience gained during the Sars outbreak, had more advanced testing regimes in place.
But the suffering and disruption in the countries has been minimised, rather than avoided altogether.
Some of the decision taken by countries now appear unwise, with hundreds of thousands of young people allowed to mingle during spring break in the US, even as the virus spread across North America.
In the UK, a four-day horse racing festival in Cheltenham went ahead only two days before the WHO declared the outbreak was a pandemic.
An early plan to allow the virus to spread to build up 'herd immunity' in 40 million Brits was hastily abandoned when researchers predicted an appalling death toll in the hundreds of thousands.
The UAE has been widely regarded as having reacted quickly to the threat posed by Covid-19. By late January, it had introduced thermal scanning at airports, beginning with passengers arriving from China.
The first cases in the UAE were reported by the end of the month – four members of a family from Wuhan who travelled to the Emirates for a holiday.
As the number of cases increased, slowly at first, the country began to ramp up its response, with measures including a nationwide sanitisation programme and calls for people to remain in their homes to stem the spread of the virus.
Authorities will hope the steps taken will give the country an even better degree of control over the outbreak and bring a full recovery closer.
December 31
China informs the WHO of dozens of cases of pneumonia caused by an unknown virus in Wuhan.
January 23
The UAE introduces thermal scanning and swab tests at airports for travellers arriving from China.
January 29
The UAE confirms its first four coronavirus cases after testing members of a family who travelled on holiday from Wuhan. The mother, father, girl, 9, and grandmother arrived in the Emirates on January 16 and sought treatment on January 23 after the grandmother developed flu-like symptoms.
February 5
The General Civil Aviation Authority suspends all flights from China, with the exception of Beijing. Some UAE universities ask students not to attend classes if they feel unwell and have visited China recently.
February 9
Liu Yujia, 73, the grandmother from the family from Wuhan, becomes the first patient in the UAE to recover from the virus.
February 12
The disease caused by the virus is given the name Covid-19 by the WHO.
February 14
Two more patients make a full recovery – a Chinese man, 41, and his son, 8. Three of the eight confirmed cases in the UAE have now recovered.
February 25
Doctors in Dubai are told to test patients with severe chest infections for Covid-19, even if they have not travelled to a country where there is a significant outbreak or been in contact with an infected person.
February 27
Schools across the UAE cancel trips abroad, as well as activities that require large gatherings. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s education regulator, asks families to provide travel records to help identify anyone at risk of carrying the infection.
February 28
The UAE Tour is cancelled after two Italian team members test positive for Covid-19. The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi tests people at two Yas Island hotels, the Crowne Plaza and the W Hotel, where the cyclists and teams are staying. Two people who came into contact with the infected cyclists are quarantined.
March 3
The Fatwa Council advises those who feel unwell not to pray at mosques. Cleaning operations are carried out in mosques across the country. Places of worship across the country begin to install thermal scanners at entrances.
March 7
Abu Dhabi Sports Council calls on clubs to suspend all sports events “until further notice”.
March 8
All schools and universities are told to close for four weeks and Spring Break begins.
March 9
An "active and continuous investigation" to find people who came in contact with other patients identifies 14 new cases. Tourism destinations, including Dubai Miracle Garden and Global Village, close. Events such as festivals and concerts are cancelled or postponed, including Fashion Forward Dubai and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction awards ceremony.
March 10
Cruises operating out of the UAE are suspended and Etihad Airways announces a series of flight suspensions. Emaar Hospitality announces it will stop accepting bookings at several hotels in Dubai until August 31.
March 11
Abu Dhabi imposes a ban on shisha.
March 12
The outbreak is declared a pandemic by the WHO. More than 125,000 people across the globe now have contracted the virus, with more than 4,700 deaths. Dubai bans shisha in cafes across the emirate.
March 13
Abu Dhabi shuts nightclubs and live events across the capital are cancelled. Europe is named the new centre of the pandemic.
March 14
Louvre Abu Dhabi and other tourist attractions and theme parks close. All public beaches and cinemas close in Abu Dhabi. Parks in the emirate shut for cleaning.
March 15
Theme parks, cinemas, gyms and parks across Dubai close. Authorities in the emirate also suspend weddings, with similar measures taken in Ajman and Fujairah.
March 16
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, releases a video message to reassure citizens and residents that "our country is infinitely able to supply everyone with all the food and medicine they could ever need”.
The UAE confirms more than 125,000 tests have been carried out and Abu Dhabi rolls out a 16-point stimulus package to limit the financial effects of the outbreak. Public prayers are suspended in all places of worship.
March 17
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanks UAE for helping to combat the outbreak. The government calls on Emiratis living or working abroad to return home.
March 18
Emiratis are told not to travel abroad and visas-on-arrival are suspended. The government orders any new arrivals in the country to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
March 19
The government suspends entry for all residents overseas. The UAE flies dozens of South Koreans and Iranians out of Iran in a humanitarian mission.
March 20
Authorities warn anyone caught intentionally spreading coronavirus in the UAE could face up to five years in prison. The law on communicable diseases, introduced in 2014, criminalises any “intentional behaviour that results in spreading an infection”.
March 21
The UAE announces two patients have died after contracting the virus. An Arab citizen, 78, who returned from Europe, and an Asian citizen, 58, are the first fatalities in the country. Authorities urge the public to adhere to social distancing guidelines as 13 more cases are reported, as well as seven recoveries. Dubai begins an 11-day disinfection programme to sterilise at least 95 roads, and residents are asked to stay off the streets. Banks offer customers loan repayment holidays.
March 22
School pupils and university students begin two weeks of distance learning. Emirates airline announces it will suspend all passenger flights from March 25. Etihad also suspends most services.
March 23
The country’s case total increases to 198. A traveller who did not self-isolate after arriving in the country is discovered to have infected 17 people with Covid-19, including his family and colleagues. Domestic travel restrictions are imposed on the public, with people allowed to travel to supermarkets and pharmacies for essentials.
March 25
All passenger flights are grounded and all shops are shut, with the exception of supermarkets, pharmacies and fish, meat and vegetable markets. Residents are told they should not go outside, even for exercise.
March 26
The UAE announces it will begin a nationwide cleaning and sterilisation drive that is due to last for three days and will be carried out between the hours of 8pm and 6am. Movement of traffic and people will be allowed to continue as usual during the day.
March 28
The nationwide sterilisation initiative is extended until April 4. Dubai Police activate speed cameras to catch anyone out on the roads between 8pm and 6am. Sheikh Mohamed visits Abu Dhabi's first drive-through testing centre.
March 30
Authorities announce schools will remain closed and distance learning to continue until the summer. Dubai Expo 2020 representatives say they are in talks to postpone the event until 2021.
March 31
Sheikh Mohamed reveals he "shed a tear" when he heard residents sang the UAE national anthem from their balconies. Metro and tram services are partly suspended. Movement is restricted in Al Ras, one of Dubai's most densely populated districts, for two weeks to help identify potential cases. Some schools in the UAE agree to cut fees by up to 50 per cent, but call for parents' support to protect the salaries of staff. Two pharmacies in Dubai are fined for raising the cost of face masks, while another is found to have increased the price of hand sanitisers.
Abu Dhabi unveils a gateway at bus stations that sprays disinfectant as people pass through.
April 1
It is announced Al Ain Hospital is closed to the public and will treat coronavirus patients.
April 2
Global cases pass a million, having doubled in the space of a week. There are 210 new cases of coronavirus in UAE, bringing the country's total to 1,024.
April 3
More than 200 new cases bring the total to 1,264 and the death of an Asian man, 51, is reported. Officials say the number of cases will begin to increase significantly due to widespread testing.
April 4
Dubai residents are told they cannot leave home without a permit and an online system is set up to handle applications. The government proposes a new start date for the Expo – October 1, 2021.
April 6
Police update the permit website to allow pedestrians and people taking taxis to obtain permits. Authorities call on people with a medical background to volunteer to help in the fight against the virus. More than 1,000 are already helping in hospitals and quarantine centres after receiving training from the Emirates Foundation.
April 8
It is 100 days since the WHO was first alerted about the virus.
AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20women%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESisu%20Hair%20Salon%2C%20Jumeirah%201%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EBoho%20Salon%2C%20Al%20Barsha%20South%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EMoonlight%2C%20Al%20Falah%20Street%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20men%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMK%20Barbershop%2C%20Dar%20Al%20Wasl%20Mall%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ERegency%20Saloon%2C%20Al%20Zahiyah%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EUptown%20Barbershop%2C%20Al%20Nasseriya%2C%20Sharjah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tour de France Stage 16:
165km run from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isère
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
BIRD%20BOX%20BARCELONA
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Chris%20Jordan%20on%20Sanchit
%3Cp%3EChris%20Jordan%20insists%20Sanchit%20Sharma%20will%20make%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20ILT20%2C%20despite%20him%20starting%20the%20campaign%20on%20Gulf%20Giants'%20bench.%3Cbr%3EThe%20young%20UAE%20seamer%20was%20an%20instant%20success%20for%20the%20side%20last%20season%2C%20and%20remained%20part%20of%20the%20XI%20as%20they%20claimed%20the%20title.%3Cbr%3EHe%20has%20yet%20to%20feature%20this%20term%20as%20the%20Giants%20have%20preferred%20Aayan%20Khan%20and%20Usman%20Khan%20as%20their%20two%20UAE%20players%20so%20far.%3Cbr%3EHowever%2C%20England%20quick%20Jordan%20is%20sure%20his%20young%20colleague%20will%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play%20at%20some%20point.%3Cbr%3E%22Me%20and%20Sanchit%20have%20a%20great%20relationship%20from%20last%20season%2C%22%20Jordan%20said.%3Cbr%3E%22Whenever%20I%20am%20working%20with%20more%20inexperienced%20guys%2C%20I%20take%20pleasure%20in%20sharing%20as%20much%20as%20possible.%3Cbr%3E%22I%20know%20what%20it%20was%20like%20when%20I%20was%20younger%20and%20learning%20off%20senior%20players.%3Cbr%3E%22Last%20season%20Sanchit%20kick-started%20our%20season%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20with%20a%20brilliant%20man-of-the-match%20performance.%3Cbr%3E%22Coming%20into%20this%20one%2C%20I%20have%20seen%20a%20lot%20of%20improvement.%20The%20focus%20he%20is%20showing%20will%20only%20stand%20him%20in%20good%20stead.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
