A cargo plane bound for Delhi waits on the tarmac at Helsinki airport in Finland on May 11, 2021 to be loaded with oxygen tanks and ventilators, which Indian hospitals are badly in need of, under an EU aid scheme. AFP
A cargo plane bound for Delhi waits on the tarmac at Helsinki airport in Finland on May 11, 2021 to be loaded with oxygen tanks and ventilators, which Indian hospitals are badly in need of, under an EU aid scheme. AFP
A crew member straps in the cargo of medical oxygen and ventilators on a plane bound for Delhi, India, at Helsinki airport. AFP
A crew member straps in the cargo of medical oxygen and ventilators on a plane bound for Delhi, India, at Helsinki airport. AFP
Passengers arriving on international flights get their Covid-19 coronavirus screening done at the Anna International airport in Chennai on April 28, 2021. AFP
Passengers arriving on international flights get their Covid-19 coronavirus screening done at the Anna International airport in Chennai on April 28, 2021. AFP
Liquid oxygen tankers arrive at at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. They are used to refill portable cylinders that can help patients to breathe. Reuters
Liquid oxygen tankers arrive at at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. They are used to refill portable cylinders that can help patients to breathe. Reuters
An Indian Air Force cargo plane on the tarmac at Dubai World Central. Three empty containers brought from Gujarat were refilled before being sent back to Indian hospitals. Courtesy: Indian Ministry of Defence
An Indian Air Force cargo plane on the tarmac at Dubai World Central. Three empty containers brought from Gujarat were refilled before being sent back to Indian hospitals. Courtesy: Indian Ministry of Defence
Countries across the globe have halted arrivals from India following a dramatic surge in cases in April and May. Reuters
Countries across the globe have halted arrivals from India following a dramatic surge in cases in April and May. Reuters

Transport

India flights to UAE suspended until June 14 at least

Authorities have not ruled out an extension due to the Covid-19 surge

The National

May 23, 2021

  • English
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Related: UAE threatens to ban private jet firms for selling seats on per person basis

Passenger flights from India will remain suspended until at least June 14, Emirates said.

Those who have transited through India in the past 14 days will not be able to travel from any other point to the UAE, the airline added.

It gave an update on its website on Sunday.

Authorities gave no end date for the ban that began on April 24, but the move is subject to review.

India has recorded a surge in coronavirus cases in recent weeks, placing a huge strain on the country's healthcare system.

Read More

Coronavirus latest

India states sound alarm over surge in 'black fungus' case numbers

Several categories of passenger are exempt from the ban, including Emiratis stranded in India, people with a UAE 'golden visa' and members of diplomatic missions.

Despite the ban, a number of Indians have spent thousands of dollars on charter flights to Dubai.

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has threatened to ban private jet operators from pooling charter flights between passengers.

Business jet companies received an official circular to remind them that selling seats on a per person basis is prohibited.

“When business aircraft are used to transport passengers from restricted destinations, they shall not be pooled or sold per seat,” the authority said.

“Operators hired for pooling or 'per seat offer' may be banned from operating in the UAE. [The] GCAA is collecting all information required from local authorities to verify flight and passenger information.”

The number of new daily cases of Covid-19 in India has been above 300,000 most days since late April.

Hospitals have struggled to replenish oxygen supplies in particular, which are needed for people with moderate to severe symptoms.

Covid-19 latest in India - in pictures

A health worker reacts after receiving a dose of Covaxin vaccine at a vaccination centre in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
A health worker reacts after receiving a dose of Covaxin vaccine at a vaccination centre in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
A health worker prepares the jab of the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine in a residential area in Chennai. AFP
A health worker prepares the jab of the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine in a residential area in Chennai. AFP
A vaccination centre is seen closed due to non-availability of Covid-19 vaccines in New Delhi. AFP
A vaccination centre is seen closed due to non-availability of Covid-19 vaccines in New Delhi. AFP
Health workers collect a nasal swab sample from a man for Covid-19 testing at Khag village, in central Kashmir's Budgam district. AFP
Health workers collect a nasal swab sample from a man for Covid-19 testing at Khag village, in central Kashmir's Budgam district. AFP
Jagdish Chand Sharma shows a photograph of his late wife Anita sharma, who was a Covid-19 patient at Dr Karam Singh Memorial Multi Specially hospital in Amritsar. AFP
Jagdish Chand Sharma shows a photograph of his late wife Anita sharma, who was a Covid-19 patient at Dr Karam Singh Memorial Multi Specially hospital in Amritsar. AFP
Relatives mourn as they wait to receive the body of their loved one, who died due to the Covid-19, at a mortuary in New Delhi. AFP
Relatives mourn as they wait to receive the body of their loved one, who died due to the Covid-19, at a mortuary in New Delhi. AFP
Rickshaw-pullers and other migrant labourers queue up to receive food distributed by a charity as the lockdown continues in New Delhi. Getty Images
Rickshaw-pullers and other migrant labourers queue up to receive food distributed by a charity as the lockdown continues in New Delhi. Getty Images
Partially deserted roads with closed shops are seen in a market in Siliguri. AFP
Partially deserted roads with closed shops are seen in a market in Siliguri. AFP
Bodies, some of which are believed to be Covid-19 victims, are seen partially exposed in shallow sand graves after rains washed away the top layer of sand at a cremation ground on the banks of the Ganges River in Shringverpur, north-west of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Getty Images
Bodies, some of which are believed to be Covid-19 victims, are seen partially exposed in shallow sand graves after rains washed away the top layer of sand at a cremation ground on the banks of the Ganges River in Shringverpur, north-west of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Getty Images
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Results

Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

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UAE squad

Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

While you're here
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Kamindu Mendis bio

Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis

Born: September 30, 1998

Age: 20 years and 26 days

Nationality: Sri Lankan

Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team

Batting style: Left-hander

Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)

While you're here
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%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.

South AsiaTransportCoronavirusUAE