Coronavirus: UAE records 536 new cases and five deaths

The UAE recorded 536 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the country's total to 10,349.

A further five people died after contracting the virus as the death toll increased to 76.

Officials confirmed 91 more people made full recoveries, pushing the number of people to have beaten the virus to 1,978.

The UAE carried out 35,000 tests as part of its extensive efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19.

More than one million tests have been conducted across the Emirates since the outbreak began.

On Saturday, Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the UAE would continue its robust approach to testing to identify new cases as quickly as possible and prevent the spread of the virus.

“Increased Covid-19 testing helps us be proactive in identifying cases, particularly those who are asymptomatic,” he said.

“It is natural that the increase in screening is accompanied by an increase in the number of new cases.

“This is an indication that we are on the right path to reduce the spread of the virus.”

Dr Alawi Al Sheikh-Ali, spokesman for the Emirates Scientists Council, said the UAE was conducting dozens of studies to help understand the virus and how it spreads.

He said samples were taken from more than 240 local patients from a variety of age groups and during various stages of their recovery to understand how different strains of the virus determined their symptoms.

This information will help medics protect those most at risk, he said.

The global virus death toll passed 200,000 on Saturday night, with more than 50,000 of those deaths in the US.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.