Concert organisers and nightclub and bar staff in Dubai now check for electronic vaccine certificates on the door. Pawan Singh / The National
The use of electronic vaccine certificates such as Al Hosn will help to bring about a return to normal life, officials say. Pawan Singh / The National
Large events like concerts are allowed again in Dubai under new regulations, but only those who are Covid-19 vaccinated can attend. Pawan Singh / The National
Visitor numbers are capped at 1,500 for an indoor venue and 2,500 for an outdoor sports or music event. Pawan Singh / The National
Concert-goers will still need to remain 2 metres apart under the new regulations. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai Opera's concerts and events are capped at 1,500. Courtesy Hussain Al Jassmi
The Coca Cola Arena has not yet re-opened this year, after a surge in cases in January. Chris Whiteoak / The National
"Everyone who got the vaccine received an electronic certificate on their devices," Dr Al Suwaidi, who leads vaccination and testing at Dubai's Covid-19 command and control centre, told Dubai Eye radio's Business Breakfast.
Everybody has an e-certificate that they could show. There are no physical papers – we don't encourage that
"That's linked to Al Hosn, that also can prove that you have your vaccine completed.
"Now we have an electronic system in place, everybody has an e-certificate that they could show," she said. "There are no physical papers – we don't encourage that."
The rules are the same for tourists visiting bars, clubs and live music and sports venues.
Vaccinated tourists can download the Al Hosn app and register using the "unified number" (UID) listed on their visa, or use an electronic certificate.
Under new rules introduced this week, only people who have received both doses of Covid-19 vaccine can go to bars and nightclubs and attend other events.
This does not necessarily extend to licensed restaurants that serve alcohol – but patrons may find it affects where they can sit.
When a reporter from The National visited a hotel bar in Dubai on Wednesday, they were told they could sit at, or close, to the main bar if they had proof they were vaccinated.
If not, they could sit in the adjacent lounge, where tables were spaced apart in accordance with the two-metre rule.
Clubs and live venues that were shut in January by the authorities, can reopen as of May 17. Licensed restaurants have been open since 2020.
New rules for the hospitality sector were published on Monday by Dubai Tourism.
Hotels can now operate at 100 per cent capacity, while restaurants and cafes can host groups of 10 on tables two metres apart.
Brunches can go ahead again, while six people can sit together in a shisha cafe.
Weddings can now host up to 100 guests, while 30 people can attend private parties at home.
Large events can begin again, with numbers capped at 1,500 for an indoor venue and 2,500 for an outdoor sports or music event.
Entertainers are allowed to perform at hospitality venues, after being banned at the start of February.
These rules will remain for a month and could be extended if the pilot is successful, Dr Al Suwaidi said.
"We are moving very smoothly and fast towards our goal, which is to maximise the vaccination percentage of our population," she said.
"Hopefully within the near future most – if not 100 per cent – of our population would have been vaccinated, and such restrictions may not be applied.
"If we follow the proper precautions, we can move on to our normal lives, very soon," Dr Al Suwaidi said.
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), EsekaiaDranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), JaenBotes (Exiles), KristianStinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), EmosiVacanau (Harlequins), NikoVolavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), ThinusSteyn (Exiles)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister. "We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know. “All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.” It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins. Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement. The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
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.
