Emirates has restarted regular passenger flights to nine international destinations from Dubai airports, and there are new safety procedures in place for travellers.
The Dubai airline launched flights from the UAE to Europe, the US, Canada and Australia from Thursday, May 21.
Upon check-in, Emirates will give all passengers free hygiene kits. These will include face masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser.
The gloves and masks must be worn at the airport and the face masks are also compulsory on all Emirates flights.
At Dubai International Airport, thermal temperature scanning is in place and protective barriers have been installed at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees.
Read more: Dubai Airport's new procedures: arrive four hours before your flight, but not earlier
Emirates will fly to Chicago, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Milan, Paris, Sydney and Toronto, with flights scheduled on these routes until June 30.
Online check-in for all flights remain suspended. This allows Emirates team members to assign seats based on social distancing measures where possible. Families that are travelling together can request to sit as a group when checking in.
Emirates has amended its boarding procedures, and passengers will now enter the aircraft by exact row rather than zone, from the back of the plane to the front. Emirates boarding agents dressed in full personal protective equipment will be on hand to assist with this and all waiting areas have been amended to allow for social distancing.
Travellers who are set to transit through the airport onto another flight will have to go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. They will then be given new hygiene kits at the gate before boarding a connecting flight.
In-flight safety measures
An additional crew member has been added to all Emirates flights that have a flying time of more than 90 minutes. This person, the cabin services assistant, will be responsible for sanitation of lavatories which will now be cleaned every 45 minutes.
Cabin baggage remains restricted to essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items for on board.
In business and economy class, Emirates will resume its service with hot meals, using cutlery and crockery, sterilised before each use. Premium passengers will be given single-use menus, and items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, headphones and toys will be hygienically sealed before use.
The airline recommends that travellers carry their own pen with them to fill out Health Declaration Forms required at some destinations.
"We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai – including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities," said Adel Al Redha, Emirates' chief operating officer.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
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Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
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Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
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Sunday
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
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The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
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The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net