• Chinese citizen Chen Gang receives the Sinopharm vaccine. All pictures by Antonie Robertson / The National
    Chinese citizen Chen Gang receives the Sinopharm vaccine. All pictures by Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, meets citizens receiving the Sinopharm vaccine at Al Safa Health Centre.
    Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, meets citizens receiving the Sinopharm vaccine at Al Safa Health Centre.
  • The Sinopharm vaccine is administered to a Chinese citizen
    The Sinopharm vaccine is administered to a Chinese citizen
  • Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, is introduced to medical staff as the Covid-19 vaccine drive for Chinese citizens begins
    Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, is introduced to medical staff as the Covid-19 vaccine drive for Chinese citizens begins
  • About 200 Chinese citizens registered for the first day of the vaccine drive
    About 200 Chinese citizens registered for the first day of the vaccine drive
  • Many people arrived early to receive the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine
    Many people arrived early to receive the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine
  • Vaccine doses will be administered to about 200 Chinese citizens on Thursday
    Vaccine doses will be administered to about 200 Chinese citizens on Thursday
  • An inoculation drive for Chinese citizens in the UAE got under way on Thursday
    An inoculation drive for Chinese citizens in the UAE got under way on Thursday

Hundreds of Chinese tourists vaccinated against Covid-19 on first day of campaign in Dubai


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of Chinese citizens on visit visas to the UAE will receive their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday.

About 200 have registered for the Sinopharm vaccine at the Safa healthcare centre in Dubai, with inoculations to be administered by the Dubai Health Authority.

Hend Al Ketbi, DHA’s director of nursing for primary healthcare centres, said there was available capacity to vaccinate more than the 200 who had signed up for the opening day of the campaign.

Chinese visitors are the first non-residents to be offered Covid-19 vaccines in the UAE after an agreement was confirmed on Sunday.

Chinese grandmothers carrying toddlers were among dozens to arrive early at the centre on Thursday morning.

Two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine will be provided to Chinese citizens over the age of 16 who are without a residency visa and hold a short-term visa.

'We feel safe'

Yang Chongqi, 61, from Beijing, beamed as she carried her year-old granddaughter into the vaccination room.

Aladdin Essam, her Egyptian son-in-law, said the vaccination was a protective shield for his family.

“You cannot imagine how safe we feel that even Chinese visitors can get the vaccine,” he said.

“This has always felt like a second home. You feel that in any emergency you will be taken care of.”

Ms Chongqi has been in Dubai for the past three months to take care of her grandchild.

I thought it was impossible

Yao Zhang, 30, never thought she would be granted the opportunity to be vaccinated while abroad.

“When holding a visit visa, it’s impossible to get a vaccine in any country. I feel extra happy and proud,” she said.

An office manager in the hospitality sector, Ms Zhang came to Dubai in January with her husband looking for opportunities after being laid off in the US.

A resident of Guangxi in southern China, Ms Zhang said she hoped to go home but it was tough to get a ticket.

She has completed online hospitality training while waiting for a job or a flight home.

“Like this vaccine, there is always hope. I believe there will be opportunities. There is always light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

A show of solidarity

Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, meets citizens receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. Antonie Robertson / The National
Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, meets citizens receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. Antonie Robertson / The National

Li Xuhang, China’s consul general in Dubai, said the inoculation drive highlighted the "solidarity between the UAE government, Dubai and the Chinese government”.

“Our aim is to protect overseas Chinese nationals with the support of Dubai,” he said as he visited Chinese citizens receiving the vaccine.

“We highly appreciate the support of UAE and Chinese nationals feel the friendship here.”

The consul general spoke to a group of Chinese tourists waiting for 20 minutes after their vaccination.

“The vaccine is the only way to make people healthy and safe,” he said.

Chinese officials from the consulate were present to assist with translation when people checked in to register for vaccines at the centre.

'We've been waiting for this'

Alice Zhang was among among the first to be vaccinated.

"I'm very excited. I will feel safer," Ms Zhang, 31, told The National before receiving the vaccine.

“I have been waiting for this and hoping to see this process start. Now it is my turn and I feel happy.”

Ms Zhang received a card showing her second dose in three weeks and would not need to register for the next shot.

She arrived in Dubai in November and decided to remain after her flight home was cancelled last year.

Many Chinese citizens on temporary visas extended their stay in the Emirates because of a lack of flights home.

Alice Zhang is happy to be given the opportunity to receive the Sinopharm vaccine in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Alice Zhang is happy to be given the opportunity to receive the Sinopharm vaccine in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

China drastically restricted international flights last year owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Few flights currently operate from the UAE, driving up the price for a one-way ticket to Shanghai to more than Dh20,000 ($5,445).

Ms Zhang is from Wuhan, where the first Covid-19 cases were reported, and said she followed a strict regime to stay safe during her stay in Dubai.

Alice Zhang diplays her vaccination card which shows she will receive her second dose next month
Alice Zhang diplays her vaccination card which shows she will receive her second dose next month

Some friends on tourist and residency visas in the Emirates tested positive for the disease over the past year and, although they recovered after mild infections, she felt anxious about contracting the illness.

“I was worried throughout because, if I was in China, I could have got the vaccines easily. Wuhan was the first city for the vaccines," she said.

“In Wuhan we have learnt a lot. We were taught by the government to protect ourselves. I wear masks always, wash my hands and take Chinese traditional herb tablets.”

Chinese tourists are required to enter their passport details, Chinese identity card number and their UAE address to register with the consulate or embassy to receive the Sinopharm vaccine.

'Proud' to support Covid-19 fight

Former journalist Wang Lu Lin is among the Chinese citizens to sign up to receive the Sinopharm vaccine while in the UAE on a visit visa. Pawan Singh / The National
Former journalist Wang Lu Lin is among the Chinese citizens to sign up to receive the Sinopharm vaccine while in the UAE on a visit visa. Pawan Singh / The National

Beijing resident Wang Lu Lin, 33, registered for the vaccine and is awaiting an appointment.

She said she was "very proud" to receive the vaccine overseas.

“Thank you homeland," she said.

Ms Wang has been in Dubai since January and is enrolled in English language courses.

She lives with a friend in International City and has been carefully restricting her travel.

Ms Wang, a former journalist, hopes to find a job in Dubai while she improves her language skills.

Many Chinese citizens on temporary visas have taken up study courses and are looking for jobs.

Ms Zhang lives in a hotel apartment in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis and completed a master’s degree online. She is researching options to start a business.

"I came to Dubai looking for business opportunities, but after my flight was cancelled I'm spending time doing research on general trading, real estate and tourism," she said.

“My plan is that I will find a job or find a partner to start a company. I’m hoping to start a business in tourism or real estate.”

Ms Zhang uses her experience in translation and administration to complete online projects for companies.

“The medical system in Dubai is good so my family is not too worried that I am here. Even if I go to a hospital here there are Chinese doctors,” she said.

Strict quarantine rules to enter China deter travellers who worry about their ability to leave the country for work.

New quarantine regulations require all travellers into China to isolate for 14 days before their flight and take antibody and PCR tests before they fly.

Passengers must enter institutional quarantine for two weeks when they land in China.

Once a traveller reaches their final destination, some provinces require 14 to 21 days quarantine in a government centre, hotel or at home.

Emirates and Etihad said they have no flights to China for the next few months.

Flights were suspended based on travel restrictions and government approval, according to information from call centres of both airlines.

Air China showed one weekly flight available to Beijing.

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

Challenge Cup result:

1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

'Munich: The Edge of War'

Director: Christian Schwochow

Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons

Rating: 3/5

WIDE%20VIEW
%3Cp%3EThe%20benefits%20of%20HoloLens%202%2C%20according%20to%20Microsoft%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EManufacturing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Reduces%20downtime%20and%20speeds%20up%20onboarding%20and%20upskilling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngineering%20and%20construction%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Accelerates%20the%20pace%20of%20construction%20and%20mitigates%20risks%20earlier%20in%20the%20construction%20cycle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20care%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Enhances%20the%20delivery%20of%20patient%20treatment%20at%20the%20point%20of%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Improves%20student%20outcomes%20and%20teaches%20from%20anywhere%20with%20experiential%20learning%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

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.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault)  1:29.480 (14)

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: eight-speed PDK

Power: 630bhp

Torque: 820Nm

Price: Dh683,200

On sale: now

NEW%20UTILITY%20POLICY%3A%20WHAT%20DOES%20IT%20REGULATE%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Agreements%20on%20energy%20and%20water%20supply%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Applied%20service%20fees%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20data%20and%20information%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Prohibition%20of%20service%20disconnections%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20complaint%20process%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Management%20of%20debts%20and%20customers%20in%20default%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Services%20provided%20to%20people%20of%20determination%20and%20home%20care%20customers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars

Race card

6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m

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), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible

Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465

Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km

Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm