An Abu Dhabi resident has told of the "psychological challenge" he faced after twice testing positive for Covid-19 within weeks.
Salem Muqattash's plan to visit family in the US was thrown into disarray when he was found to have contracted the virus shortly after his arrival in the country on December 2.
The 32-year-old was clear of infection when taking a PCR test in the Emirates 96 hours prior to his flight to Chicago.
Mr Muqattash decided to stay in a hotel on arrival and take a further test before staying with his family.
Being quarantined is a psychological challenge, it's an impact on our health in one way or another
“I decided to stay in a hotel for three days before seeing my family to make sure I was fine," said Mr Muqattash, from Jordan.
“Some members are older, so I had to be very careful."
Mr Muqattash was right to be cautious.
“From the second day, I started feeling symptoms and when I did the test on the third day it was positive,” said the structural engineer.
He stayed at the hotel for seven more days, not requiring hospital treatment as his symptoms were minor.
“I told my family I was still in Dubai so they did not get worried, and they were staying in a different state, so I did not want anyone to travel to see me.
"It would have been too risky and there was nothing they could do for me anyway, I was fine.”
He finally tested negative then travelled on to Arizona to visit his family.
“I spent 25 days with them. Having a loving family helps us face many miseries in life and they know how to make you feel happy," Mr Muqattash said.
“And of course spending time with family is the most exciting thing we can do after a long time of home isolation.”
Mr Muqattash took another PCR test, which came back negative, before flying back to the Emirates.
Coronavirus in the UAE:
He was asked to take a further test on arrival at Dubai International Airport and spent the night at the airport hotel awaiting the results.
He received the result on January 8, which to his surprise was a second positive. He said he had a mild fever, but his symptoms remained light.
He was allowed to quarantine at home in Abu Dhabi after explaining his situation to border officials.
“I live alone anyway, so it was convenient," he said.
"I barely experienced the symptoms that other patients describe, I slightly lost sense of taste and my hearing became less for a few days, but I think it was psychological. When you hear it from others you expect to have it too."
The biggest hurdle he had to overcome was the prolonged period of isolation owing to two positive tests in such close proximity.
“Being quarantined is a psychological challenge, it’s an impact on our health in one way or another – the boredom, the loneliness, the frustration,” he said.
“It is an incredible feeling when you are free to go out, such a great feeling of happiness."
Mr Muqattash does not dismiss the possibility of contracting the virus again.
He strictly follows safety measures to protect his health and those around him.
He said two bouts of quarantine had made him appreciate the importance of human contact.
“When you are isolated you understand the meaning of friendship, community and social life," he said.
“I discovered no one can live alone [without friends] after I lived alone for 10 days twice. Even if you have a strong personality you still need social support.”
He said friends rallied round when he self-isolated in Abu Dhabi, often delivering food to his doorstep.
He wished to spend time with them but knew only too well he could take no risks.
Mr Muqattash said he now felt "perfectly fine" and did not suffer from any lingering effects from his experience.
Two positive tests a rarity, says doctor
Dr Mohaymen Abdelghany, chief executive of Danat Al Emarat Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said it was uncommon for someone to contract the virus twice.
He said it was possible that some of those diagnosed with the virus twice might have received false negatives and had, in fact, undergone a prolonged recovery from a single bout of coronavirus.
“We have to understand the limitation of the PCR, because it is only 70 per cent accurate, so he could be one of the unlucky ones who got an inaccurate result,” he said.
Experts say reinfections are infrequent, but a number of such cases have been reported around the world, highlighting the need to follow safety measures at all times.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
The%20specs
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company%20profile
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FORSPOKEN
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The%20Legend%20of%20Zelda%3A%20Tears%20of%20The%20Kingdom
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Marvel's%20Spider-Man%202
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Starfield
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SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Newcastle United 2 (Willems 25', Shelvey 88')
Manchester City 2 (Sterling 22', De Bruyne 82')
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
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GYAN’S ASIAN OUTPUT
2011-2015: Al Ain – 123 apps, 128 goals
2015-2017: Shanghai SIPG – 20 apps, 7 goals
2016-2017: Al Ahli (loan) – 25 apps, 11 goals
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
