Latest: How doctors drove down cases in Dubai's old town
Abu Dhabi was set to expand coronavirus screening on Monday after telling staff at all commercial and industrial companies to report for testing.
The decision by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development was expected to affect tens of thousands of employees in areas such as retail, construction and heavy industry.
In a message to managers and company owners, officials said all workers were to "subject themselves to medical screening for Covid-19", or face a fine and possible legal action for repeated delays.
The department regulates businesses across the emirate that are not located in free zones.
Some companies' owners did not commit to sending their workers for medical testing
“This came after noting that some companies’ owners did not commit to sending their workers for medical testing to ensure that they are not infected with the virus,” said Rashed Al Balooshi, undersecretary at the department.
Drive-through clinics have been built and medical staff drafted in from private hospitals to make mass testing possible in recent weeks.
The country has carried out temperature checks, nasal swabs and basic blood tests on as many as 35,000 UAE residents per day.
Inspectors from the department have the authority to issue fines, Mr Al Balooshi said, citing a law passed by Attorney General Dr Hamad Al Shamsi to enforce testing.
Anyone who refused to be tested for the virus would be subject to a Dh5,000 fine in the first instance.
The penalty would be doubled if a test was refused again and any business or employee that committed the offence for a third time would be referred for prosecution.
They may also be made to pay the costs associated with closing the “violating facility for a period not exceeding six months", which could be extended, according to a statement on Wam.
Last week, the department said it was in talks with mall operators and retailers to "explore options as part of a staggered series of reopenings across key sectors".
It would give the public "more options to purchase products they may need, in addition to e-commerce, and to support local retailers and businesses", the department said.
But mall operators and retailers would have to introduce a series of measures designed to protect staff and the public from the risk of infection.
Retailers were required to ensure staff were tested before they could return to work in malls.
Across the UAE, shops can only be at up to 30 per cent of capacity at any time.
Anyone with a temperature of more than 38°C and people aged over 60 would be barred from entering.
In addition to being screened for the virus before they returned to work, all staff would have their temperatures checked each time they entered the mall.
They would also have their temperature checked regularly throughout the day.
Stores would be sanitised regularly and there would be a ban on refunds and exchanges.
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Scores in brief:
Boost Defenders 205-5 in 20 overs
(Colin Ingram 84 not out, Cameron Delport 36, William Somerville 2-28)
bt Auckland Aces 170 for 5 in 20 overs
(Rob O’Donnell 67 not out, Kyle Abbott 3-21).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Oppenheimer
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
