Mass testing across the country is credited with saving lives and allowing the economy to reopen gradually. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Mass testing across the country is credited with saving lives and allowing the economy to reopen gradually. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
A mass testing campaign aims to screen all workers living in Abu Dhabi’s Mussaffah area
A mass testing campaign aims to screen all workers living in Abu Dhabi’s Mussaffah area
The testing is free of cost, said the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
The testing is free of cost, said the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Free transportation is provided to take workers from their accommodation to testing centres.
Free transportation is provided to take workers from their accommodation to testing centres.
The initiative announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, said no legal action will be taken against those who are living in the emirate on expired visas.
The initiative announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, said no legal action will be taken against those who are living in the emirate on expired visas.
“Testing campaign and sanitisation [are] to be conducted in gradual phases, and in coordination with targeted blocks,” said the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
“Testing campaign and sanitisation [are] to be conducted in gradual phases, and in coordination with targeted blocks,” said the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The main medical registration area at the Seha facility in Mussaffah.
The main medical registration area at the Seha facility in Mussaffah.
Another queue sends visitors to a line where they are processed by handing over their Emirates ID card and phone number.
Another queue sends visitors to a line where they are processed by handing over their Emirates ID card and phone number.
A staff member of the center directs a workers to the next area at the screening centre.
A staff member of the center directs a workers to the next area at the screening centre.
A high body temperature of 38°C could indicate signs of fever, a common coronavirus symptom.
A high body temperature of 38°C could indicate signs of fever, a common coronavirus symptom.
Visitors must complete a brief questionnaire to help nurses understand the health status of those waiting in line.
Visitors must complete a brief questionnaire to help nurses understand the health status of those waiting in line.
On arrival in Mussaffah, workers walk through a sanitisation mist shower before entering the tented clinic.
On arrival in Mussaffah, workers walk through a sanitisation mist shower before entering the tented clinic.
Workers and residents queue in front of the sanitising gate before they can enter the main tent screening centre.
Workers and residents queue in front of the sanitising gate before they can enter the main tent screening centre.

Health

Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi to run expanded testing campaign targeting high-density areas

Medics will go to highly populated areas across the emirate in a renewed push to stop asymptomatic cases from spreading the virus

The National

June 17, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Medical teams will visit high density areas and tower blocks across the emirate of Abu Dhabi in an expanded testing campaign to identify coronavirus cases.

In a renewed push to get ahead of the spread of Covid-19, the authorities will target areas with large populations for free testing.

In particular, they want to identify asymptomatic carriers who may be spreading the virus to others unknowingly.

Abu Dhabi's public hospital operator Seha, which set up huge field hospitals in the capital and in Dubai, will run the campaign and deploy teams immediately, targeting "multiple housing complexes with high-density populations".

Ongoing tests are an essential element to flatten the curve and curb the spread of the virus

Rashed Al Qubaisi, deputy chief executive of Seha, said teams would ensure "the largest possible number of citizens and residents are tested".

“Seha has put in place all the operational measures needed to ensure access to healthcare services for all residents and citizens across society."

Officials said widespread free testing remains crucial, even as the country eases restrictions and allows the workforce to return to offices.

Starting last month, Abu Dhabi's government carried out mass testing in industrial areas, including Mussaffah, which is home to more than 330,000 people. Among them are many blue collar workers and construction labourers.

It also carried out hundreds of thousands of tests at drive-through centres across the country.

The strategy was seen as key to curbing the spread of new cases and allowing shops and businesses to open.

"Starting from Saturday 30 May, the process of evaluating housing complexes will begin, and free medical screening tests for Covid-19 will be provided," Department of Health - Abu Dhabi said.

It said the campaign "aims to screen the largest possible number of the emirate’s residents, and cover heavily populated housing areas across the emirate".

Abdullah Al Hamed, chairman of DoH - Abu Dhabi, added: "The emirate has set a solid example in fighting this pandemic, ongoing tests are an essential element to flatten the curve and curb the spread of the virus."

Coronavirus outbreak

Live updates

Diet and mental health affected by outbreak, UAE study finds

At a televised briefing on Saturday, health officials reiterated the need for people to take individual responsibility, and to be aware of how vulnerable people with underlying conditions may be.

"Statistics in the country indicate that people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease and respiratory diseases represent the largest proportion of critical cases," said Dr Farida Al Hosani, the government's health spokeswoman.

"It is our responsibility as members of the community to take care of people with chronic diseases, to provide them with all support, to ensure that they comply with preventive measures, and to provide them with their daily needs to avoid leaving the home.

“We are at a critical stage in fighting covid-19. We are living in one community and the safety of each individual depends on the safety of the other. All of us must be responsible in order to overcome this challenge.”

To date, the UAE has tested more than two million people for Covid-19 - more per head of population than any other sizeable nation worldwide.

Dubai's public beaches open on hot weekend - in pictures

Sunseekers enjoy a day out at Umm suqeim public beach on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sunseekers enjoy a day out at Umm suqeim public beach on Saturday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Temperatures rose in the past week but residents still flocked to the shores as four public beaches opened on Friday
Temperatures rose in the past week but residents still flocked to the shores as four public beaches opened on Friday
Sunbathers were urged to spread themselves out and keep a distance
Sunbathers were urged to spread themselves out and keep a distance
Bathers should wear masks even when on the beach, the authorities said
Bathers should wear masks even when on the beach, the authorities said
Public beaches opened a week after private hotel beaches were allowed bring guests back
Public beaches opened a week after private hotel beaches were allowed bring guests back
Bathers were able to dip their feet into into the water for the first time in months
Bathers were able to dip their feet into into the water for the first time in months
Police were seen patrolling along the beaches and said fines would be handed out to those found to be flouting rules
Police were seen patrolling along the beaches and said fines would be handed out to those found to be flouting rules
More public areas and activities have been allowed to open in recent weeks
More public areas and activities have been allowed to open in recent weeks
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
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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
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Results

STAGE

1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56

2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14

3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21

4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24

5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05

2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05

3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18

4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33

5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

More on animal trafficking
Read more
How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

The specs: 2018 Ford F-150

Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km

More from this package
More from this package
The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler

Price, base: Dh132,000

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm

Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
THE BIO

Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist

Age: 78

Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”

Hobbies: his work  - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”

Other hobbies: football

Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Manchester City (0) v Liverpool (3)

Uefa Champions League, quarter-final, second leg

Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDirect%20Debit%20System%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sept%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20with%20a%20subsidiary%20in%20the%20UK%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elaine%20Jones%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAECoronavirus