Demand for PCR tests is expected to surge ahead of the beginning of the new school year next Monday.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced on Tuesday that pupils aged 12 and over must obtain a negative PCR test from no more than 96 hours before the start of the new academic year.
What are the new Covid rules for pupils returning to school?
The new rules apply to public school pupils, as well as those in private schools in Abu Dhabi.
New rules for Dubai private school pupils had not been announced on Wednesday.
Free Covid-19 tests will be offered to public school pupils and staff in the UAE.
Mobile testing centres have been established at 226 public schools across the country and free screenings will be available until 10pm from today until Sunday, said public schools regulator Emirates Schools Establishment.
A full list of the testing venues were posted online.
How much are PCR tests in the UAE?
With many people planning on taking late summer vacations, the demand for tests is not expected to subside anytime soon.
For those paying, tests are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for as little as Dh40 ($10.8) from some test centres, with home testing now widely available as well, for a little extra.
Here is a list of some of the places where you can obtain affordable PCR tests across the emirates.
Where to get the best deals on PCR tests
Dubai
_______________
Aster Hospitals, Mankhool, Sonapur and Qusais
Price: Dh99 for Qusais and Mankhool, Dh60 for Sonapur
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: Open 24 hours a day
_______________
Seha Covid-19 screening centres at Dubai Parks and Al Khawaneej
Price: Dh50 or free for Emiratis (results within 48 hours)
Appointment: Via the Seha app
Time: 10am to 8pm
_______________
Iranian Hospital Dubai
Price: 50Dh offer for teachers and students upon presentation of student or teacher ID card / Dh120 for everyone else (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: Open 24 hours a day
_______________
Rizek mobile application
Price: Dh119 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Home visit can be booked via the app
_______________
Justlife mobile phone application
Price: Dh129 for test at home (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Via the app
_______________
Urban Company mobile phone application
Price: Dh84 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Via the app
_______________
Drive-through screening centre, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital
Price: Dh150 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk in
Time: Open 24 hours a day
_______________
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
Labourers in need of a PCR test can obtain one at Jafilyia in Dubai
Price: Dh80 (labourers only)
Appointment: Walk-in
Time: 7am to 11pm
_______________
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) PCR testing centres
Drive-through tests that do not require appointment, run by the emirate’s health authority are available at Nad Al Hammar, Nad Al Sheba and Al Mankhool.
DHA has also opened a new drive-through testing centre that requires a prior appointment.
Price: Dh150 for all DHA testing centres
Appointment: Must be made by contacting the facilities directly
Back to school PCR testing in Abu Dhabi – in pictures
Abu Dhabi
Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital
Price: Dh40 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: 10am to 5pm
_______________
Medeor Hospital Abu Dhabi
Price: Dh40 (results within 24 to 36 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: Open 24 hours
NMC Bareen International Hospital
Price: Drive-through Dh40 (results within 15 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: Open 24 hours
Sharjah
NMC Medical Centre, Buhairah Corniche
Price: Dh85 (results within 24 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: 9am – 9pm
_______________
Thumbay Hospital
Price: Dh100 (results within 6-8 hours)
Appointment: Walk-in only
Time: 8am – 10.30pm
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
