The UAE is gradually returning to normal life as more restrictions are being eased, while some measures remain in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In Dubai, residents can visit the gym and most public beaches. Cinemas and parks have opened and nightly restrictions have been pushed back to 11pm. Restrictions on leaving the home technically end at 6am - though people are allowed out to exercise after Fajr prayer at 4.30am.
In Abu Dhabi and the other emirates, nightly restrictions are in place from 10pm to 6am, while the national disinfection programme is carried out.
The capital has also imposed temporary movement restrictions in and out of the emirate and within its regions, until Tuesday, June 23. Permits are required to travel between the regions and for anyone who wishes to enter the capital.
Authorities recently announced that some people will be able to travel out of the UAE from June 23. The possible destinations and procedures for travel are still due to be released.
Mandatory use of masks when outside the home has not changed in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the Emirates but measures have eased slightly in Dubai.
So what can I do in each emirate?
The National explains.
Which restrictions have lifted in Dubai?
Dubai has slowly returned to normal with the easing of almost all restrictions, however, safety measures remain in place to protect the public.
Dubai's Covid-19 Command and Control Centre said the emirate was "on track" to curb the spread of the disease, after reporting a decrease in the number of suspected cases visiting hospitals in the past few weeks.
Dr Amer Sharif, head of the centre, said several hospitals in Dubai are not handling any Covid-19 cases.
People in Dubai are allowed to move freely from 6am to 11pm but anyone who wishes to exercise as early as 4.30am can do so provided no more than five people gather.
Rules on wearing face masks in public have also eased slightly with exceptions made for those alone, exercising or have an illness that makes it difficult to breathe with a mask on.
Read about all the exemptions here: Dubai updates rules on wearing face masks in public
Businesses have also reopened, including gyms, sports academies and fitness clubs, as well as cinemas, with continued social distancing and regular disinfection.
Shopping malls, which initially opened at 30 per cent capacity, are now back up to full speed, as are all other private sector businesses. Children under 12 and adults over 60, who had been barred from entering, are now allowed.
Both age groups can now go to swimming pools, play areas, cinemas and shopping malls.
They are also allowed to visit museums, arts and galleries, beaches and public parks.
Salons have completely reopened, as have public libraries and gyms are back to 100 per cent capacity.
Entertainment and leisure attractions, such as The Green Planet, Dubai Aquarium, Burj Khalifa's viewing deck and waterparks, are all now also welcoming visitors again.
Dubai's museums have also begun reopening in a phased manner.
Major parks and public beaches have also reopened, including Jumeirah Beach Residence, Al Mamzar, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim beaches. Last week, officials in Dubai fined more than 100 beachgoers for failing to abide by the strict precautionary measures in place. They include a ban on gathering in groups of more than five, and mandatory masks if they are not in the water.
Marine and water sports competitions have also been given the go ahead to resume.
Gloves are not required at beaches but must be worn at parks and in indoor public areas.
Non-essential medical services, such as routine trips to the dentist, are now allowed again and elective surgery lasting 2.5 hours or less will be permitted.
However, schools and universities will remain closed to pupils and students and run e-learning programmes until September at least.
Dubai International Airport will return to full operation after final approval from authorities. Transit flights operated by national carriers and passing through the country's three international airports will resume this month. Etihad and Emirates' schedules have been announced.
Outsourced government service centres, such as those processing visas, will also resume work.
Which restrictions remain across the Emirates?
Social-distancing guidelines, requiring people to keep a two-metre distance from others outside homes, must be followed at all times, and masks remain mandatory outdoors but for the aforementioned exceptions.
Over Eid Al Fitr, people were told they should avoid meeting family and friends, especially elderly people and those suffering from chronic diseases. That has not changed.
Children below 12, adults above 70, and people with chronic diseases or who are prone to infection are still not allowed to enter malls, cinemas or sports facilities in every emirate but Dubai, where there is no longer an age restriction.
And all residents returning from abroad, which will be permitted from June 1, must adhere to a 14-day quarantine at home.
In restaurants, disinfection must be carried out continuously and only single-use cutlery is allowed unless the outlet has a dishwasher that can subject crockery to high enough heat.
Mosques remain shut. Public beaches and major parks have reopened, as have hotel beaches.
What is allowed in Abu Dhabi?
On June 2, Abu Dhabi announced it would impose a travel ban on entering and exiting the emirate to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Initially announced for seven days, but subsequently extended until June 23, residents of Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra can travel within their cities but not elsewhere in the emirate without first obtaining a permit.
Anyone wishing to leave is now free to do so, but a permit is required to reenter the emirate.
The travel restrictions were brought in to ensure Abu Dhabi's major testing drive worked effectively in containing the spread of Covid-19.
Officials in the emirate are currently screening all workers living in Mussaffah, an industrial area on the outskirts of the capital, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Testing is also being carried out in high density areas.
The nightly restriction on movement remains in place inside the emirate from 10pm to 6am. Masks are compulsory and mosques remain shut.
People can step out of their houses to exercise for up to two hours a day.
All members of the public are required to wear masks in public, with those failing to adhere to the measure risking a Dh3,000 fine.
Police have warned they could also be hit with hefty fines if they dump their masks or gloves.
During Eid, visits to first-degree relatives were allowed, except for those who are pregnant or have chronic illnesses, senior citizens and children.
People aged above 70 and those with chronic conditions were not allowed to leave their homes.
Malls, restaurants, and cafes have reopened, with restrictions on the number of people they can admit. Hotels are also welcoming guests again. But masks and gloves must be worn inside the hotel and its facilities.
Restaurants and cafes have reopened with new safety guidelines increasing the capacity limit from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
The capital's museums and cultural places have been given permission to reopen at 40 per cent capacity, and with safety measures in place.
Dog walkers, runners and cyclists have returned to the Corniche, which had been off-limits for months, however, play areas remain cordoned off.
Authorities have not yet allowed gyms and pools in residential buildings and compounds in Abu Dhabi to restart.
Under guidelines announced by the Department of Government Support, 35 per cent of employees have returned to Abu Dhabi Government offices.
They must follow a series of rules, which include a ban on handshaking and the use of mandatory masks and gloves at all times. They must also check their temperature before they leave the house and scan QR code on their phone, among other regulations.
Half of federal government employees returned to offices on June 7.
In late May, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi set out an extensive list of rules that lounges, bars, beaches, pools and gyms must meet before they can resume operations.
How about the Northern Emirates?
The nightly restriction on movement is from 10pm until 6am.
Ras Al Khaimah opened public beaches, malls, barber shops and beauty salons on Thursday.
Cinemas, gyms, car washes, and prayer rooms in malls will remain closed and restaurants will operate at 30 per cent capacity.
Malls will operate from 10am to 8pm at 30 per cent capacity and deny entry to visitors aged above 60 or below 12.
Smoking, campfire and barbecues are prohibited on beaches and gatherings of more than five people are banned.
Salons will operate by appointment only and must place barriers between chairs.
Barber shops can give haircuts but other grooming services, including shaving, are banned.
Ajman opened cinemas, gyms and car washes on Saturday, May 30. They must operate at half capacity.
Children aged 12 or younger and adults 60 and above can visit health centres and clinics inside shopping malls if they have a prior appointment and have informed mall security.
Gloves and masks are required.
All employees will have a medical test before returning to work, said the Ajman Department of Economic Development.
In some of the Northern Emirates, hotels and bars began trading two weeks ago to capitalise on staycations for residents.
In Ras Al Khaimah, 45 hotels were granted permission to restart at 75 per cent capacity – higher than the other emirates.
Fujairah and Ajman have allowed hotel facilities and bars and restaurants to open, with some restrictions, along with water sports and other activities.
However, on June 13, Umm Al Quwain shut all public beaches until further notice to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Beaches of hotels and resorts are excluded from the order, which was made to prevent gatherings.
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
BELGIUM%20SQUAD
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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)
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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
more from Janine di Giovanni
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
MANDOOB
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
WITHIN%20SAND
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
