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

Top Emirati doctor: stay away from big play groups and wear a mask if a handyman visits your home

Dr Omar Al Hammadi urges all to be cautious at home and avoid crowds and enclosed areas

Shireena Al Nowais
UAE

March 11, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A top coronavirus doctor has three pieces of advice for UAE residents: avoid enclosed spaces; wear a mask if someone enters your home; and keep your children away from big play groups.

Dr Al Hammadi made his comments in a video message recorded for an Arabic newspaper.

The internal medicine consultant, who frequently appears in television broadcasts, said enclosed spaces and people who travel widely for work both posed a major transmission risk.

Everyone knows the virus spreads in crowded areas, places where there is no social distancing and in closed areas with no ventilation

“It has become repetitive and mundane to talk about transmission methods, especially after a year,” he said.

“Everyone knows the virus spreads in crowded areas, places where there is no social distancing and in closed areas with no ventilation, even with a few people.”

But the virus can be transmitted during an essential home-repair visit.

“Let’s assume you need a faulty appliance fixed," Dr Al Hammadi said.

"Unfortunately, [sometimes] when the handyman enters the house, one of the parties eases on the required precautionary measures.

Dr Omar Al Hammadi, internal medicine specialist in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Dr Omar Al Hammadi
Dr Omar Al Hammadi, internal medicine specialist in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Dr Omar Al Hammadi

“Sometimes, one will not have a mask or fail to maintain social distancing. This is how the virus is transmitted.”

Officials previously urged residents to put a mask on to answer the door or accept food from a delivery driver, each of whom could visit hundreds of homes each week.

He also urged people to be cautious in enclosed spaces such as lifts, which tend to have capacity restricted to two or three people maximum.

“I hope this information helps to reduce the numbers of daily cases during these difficult times.”

Read More

Going maskless at the gym significantly increases risk of Covid-19 transmission, new report finds

'Distance learning is not a holiday': Parents urged not to take children to crowded places

He said that in schools, teachers and wardens carefully separate the pupils, but in parks and gardens parents often forget that children can spread the virus.

Children over the age of six are required to wear a mask in all public places, although they can slip or be pulled off.

Most children who become infected with Covid-19 virus have no symptoms, or show only mild symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue and a cough.

Early research suggested that children were not one of the major carriers of the virus – but more recent studies raise concerns.

"Children in schools are supervised and protective measures are followed in the classroom," Dr Al Hammadi said.

"We need to continue following these measures at all times.

"We need to supervise our children to keep our families and communities safe."

UAE vaccination campaign – in pictures

Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
People in the waiting room.
People in the waiting room.
An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.
(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

 

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
%3Cp%3EGoogle%20wasn't%20new%20to%20busting%20out%20April%20Fool's%20jokes%3A%20before%20the%20Gmail%20%22prank%22%2C%20it%20tricked%20users%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fmentalplex%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emind-reading%20MentalPlex%20responses%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20said%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fpigeonrank%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%20well-fed%20pigeons%20were%20running%20its%20search%20engine%20operations%3C%2Fa%3E%20.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%20subsequent%20years%2C%20they%20announced%20home%20internet%20services%20through%20your%20toilet%20with%20its%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Ftisp%2Finstall.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Epatented%20GFlush%20system%3C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%20made%20us%20believe%20the%20Moon's%20surface%20was%20made%20of%20cheese%20and%20unveiled%20a%20dating%20service%20in%20which%20they%20called%20founders%20Sergey%20Brin%20and%20Larry%20Page%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fromance%2Fpress.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3EStanford%20PhD%20wannabes%3C%2Fa%3E%20%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBut%20Gmail%20was%20all%20too%20real%2C%20purportedly%20inspired%20by%20one%20%E2%80%93%20a%20single%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20user%20complaining%20about%20the%20%22poor%20quality%20of%20existing%20email%20services%22%20and%20born%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fgooglepress.blogspot.com%2F2004%2F04%2Fgoogle-gets-message-launches-gmail.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emillions%20of%20M%26amp%3BMs%20later%3C%2Fa%3E%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.
On Women's Day
The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

While you're here...
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
UAE currency
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

While you're here
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
CoronavirusUAE