UAE officials said the country's health sector is ready and able to meet the challenge of a new strain of Covid-19 as members of the public were urged to remain committed to safety measures.
The emergence of a more contagious form of the virus is being linked to a surge in case numbers in the UK. The new strain has been detected in other parts of the globe.
Dr Omar Al Hammadi, spokesman for the UAE government, urged residents not to panic as analysis of the new form of Covid-19 continues.
"Our health sector is able, thanks to its medical staff, to deal efficiently with any changes that may arise, and to provide the best forms of prevention and health care for citizens and residents," Dr Al Hammadi said in relation to concerns over the mutated virus.
"There has been an emergence of a new strain of the virus capable of spreading faster in some regions of the world, and the issue is still being studied by scientists and the competent authorities."
He said there was no indication vaccines being launched around the world would not be effective against the new strain.
"Clinical research has not indicated the ability of new mutations of the virus to thwart the effectiveness of the response to vaccines, and researchers confirmed, before the emergence of the new mutation, that human immunity was fighting the mutated versions of the original virus more effectively than before."
Dr Al Hammadi said tourists and those returning to the country from overseas should abide by precautionary measures and must seek medical support if they display symptoms of coronavirus.
"We affirm that all those coming from outside the country must adhere to all precautionary measures, including adherence to home quarantine, and go to the hospital in the event of any symptoms appearing, and those outside the country must take all precautions and adhere to the preventive measures for these countries.
"Those outside the country must take all precautions. For airport workers there is a need to abide by all precautions."
Doctors in the UAE told The National that travellers arriving from countries where the new coronavirus strain is active should be cautious and limit gatherings where possible.
Medics said a voluntary period of isolation would protect the community from the fast-spreading Covid-19 variant strain discovered in England.
“People coming from England should try to quarantine themselves and see if they develop symptoms during that time, then they need to be re-tested,” said Dr Maan Jamal, a consultant pulmonologist at Emirates Hospital Jumeirah.
“Early detection is very important to limit the spread."
Dr Al Hammadi called on the public not to spread rumours about the potential impact of a new form of Covid-19.
'We urge the public not to panic and to avoid spreading rumours and views that are not clear.
"We ask you to continue taking precautions. We can face all possibilities by making sure the virus does not spread [by maintaining] social distancing, hygiene and wearing masks."
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
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
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
THE BIO
Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
His favourite way to unwind is spending time with his two children and cooking
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
