Covid-19 testing booths at malls in Dubai will now operate on a walk-in basis, Dubai Health Authority said.
The PCR testing stations in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira will operate Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 5pm and Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Previously, the testing booths were open seven days a week, from 11am to 6pm, on an appointment-only basis.
The service is available only for residents or visitors who require a test result for travel and other non-medical purposes.
The testing service was made available in malls for the first time last month. DHA launched the testing booths in malls to ensure Dubai residents had easy access to affordable PCR screenings.
Each PCR station is located near the entrance of the participating mall and has the capacity to conduct 180 tests a day.
The test costs Dh150 and results are sent to the customer within 24 hours.
The test is free for people aged 50 and above, those with chronic illnesses, Emiratis and GCC citizens, people with disabilities and anyone with an Emirati mother.
DHA advised those showing symptoms to not get tested at the malls.
On Wednesday, the Abu Dhabi Crisis, Emergency and Disasters Committee announced that, from Sunday, residents would need to undergo more testing to enter the capital.
Emiratis and residents entering Abu Dhabi from any other emirate will need to undergo up to three Covid-19 tests.
To enter the emirate, a person must present a negative DPI blood test or PCR nasal swab result received within 48 hours.
England v South Africa schedule
- First Test: Starts Thursday, Lord's, 2pm (UAE)
- Second Test: July 14-18, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, 2pm
- Third Test: The Oval, London, July 27-31, 2pm
- Fourth Test: Old Trafford, Manchester, August 4-8
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
