More than 388,000 people across Abu Dhabi have been tested since the emirate closed its borders two weeks ago.
Local authorities imposed a movement ban on residents and Emiratis on June 2, restricting travel in and out of the capital as well as within its major regions.
Initially due to last week, the measure has since been extended to June 23 to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and facilitate the emirate's mass-testing programme.
On Tuesday, the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the Covid-19 Pandemic said people could leave the emirate without a permit but would require one to re-enter and would be subject to "precautionary health measures".
Movement between the emirate's regions – Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra – remains restricted unless the traveller obtains a permit using the police portal before the journey.
On Wednesday, officials said there was no time limit on re-entering Abu Dhabi if someone leaves the emirate, provided they have a permit to return.
The measure does not stop people leaving their homes, other than during the nightly disinfection hours of 10pm to 6am.
Permit allocation is at the discretion of Abu Dhabi Police and is determined based on requirements in the application, they said.
Authorities added that the movement ban allowed the Covid-19 testing drive to continue and be implemented in densely populated areas of the emirate.
The Home Screening programme will also be stepped up this week to ensure people who live far away from screening centres, the elderly and other vulnerable members of the community can be tested from the comfort of their home. Focus areas for this drive will be announced "in due course".
Abu Dhabi has adopted an early testing strategy to identify, isolate and treat patients before they can spread the virus or develop severe symptoms. This has led to a decrease in the number of patients needing to be admitted to hospitals for Covid-19, officials said.
The programme is being continually evaluated to determine the success of the drive and identify areas to be targeted for testing.
Apply for a travel permit here: https://es.adpolice.gov.ae/en/movepermit
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
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- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
