Coronavirus: UAE announces 518 new cases and four deaths

A further 29,000 tests for the virus have been carried out while the number of recoveries has risen to 1,637

The UAE recorded 518 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday and confirmed four more deaths of patients who had contracted the virus.

Health officials revealed that a further 29,000 tests for coronavirus had been conducted in the past 24 hours as part of nationwide efforts to tackle the spread of the disease.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed 91 more people had made full recoveries following positive tests, taking the total number of patients to be given the all-clear to 1,637.

The Emirates has recorded 8,756 coronavirus cases since the start of the outbreak.

The four people to have died were all expatriates originally from countries in Asia.

A total of 56 people have died in the country after contracting the virus.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have announced plans to gradually ease restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the highly-contagious virus.

On Wednesday, officials in Abu Dhabi said they were considering reopening malls and were consulting with traders over the plans.

Shoppers could be allowed into shopping malls as long as masks and gloves were worn and payments were cashless.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development said it was in talks with mall operators and retailers to "explore options as part of a staggered series of reopenings across key sectors".

It would give the public "more options to purchase products they may need, in addition to e-commerce, and to support local retailers and businesses", the department said.

 

In Dubai, Shoppers would be allowed into malls for three hours, provided they wear a mask and keep their distance, according to new plans from the government.

Children aged between three to 12 and people over 60 would not be permitted, Dubai Economy said in a briefing note on Wednesday.

Shopping centres must also limit the number of people entering to no more than 30 per cent of their total capacity.