Australia's biggest state ended a snap five-day Covid-19 lockdown on Friday evening after reporting no cases for five days straight.
Its national Cabinet decided to lift the temporary caps on citizens returning from overseas from the middle of this month.
Western Australia’s state capital Perth and southwest region, home to about two million people, ended its lockdown from 6pm local time on Friday.
“I’m so relieved we have got to this point and we can get businesses and our economy back open with full confidence,” state Premier Mark McGowan said.
Community infections in the country remained low for the past few days and it will relax caps on international arrivals to some states.
The number was cut by nearly half, to about 3,000, in early January after more contagious new variants of the virus were discovered.
“From 15 February, the caps will return to the previous levels for New South Wales and Queensland. So, we will see that capacity lift again,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters.
Since last March, Australia’s international border has been shut to all but nationals and permanent residents, all of whom must enter a two-week hotel quarantine on arrival, at their own expense.
On Friday, Victoria, the country’s second most populous state, reported no new cases, bringing relief to organisers of the Australian Open.
The tennis tournament is due to start on February 8, but an employee of a hotel where some players were staying contracted the virus.
The case, reported late on Wednesday, resulted in 500 players and staff being put into isolation while they were tested. Tournament officials on Friday said almost all of them have tested negative for the virus.
Australia has reported only about 29,000 Covid-19 cases and 909 deaths, far fewer than many other wealthy countries.
It imposed strict border controls, widespread testing, social distancing rules and lockdowns.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Sub Regional Qualifier
Event info: The tournament in Kuwait this month is the first phase of the qualifying process for sides from Asia for the 2020 World T20 in Australia. The UAE must finish within the top three teams out of the six at the competition to advance to the Asia regional finals. Success at regional finals would mean progression to the World T20 Qualifier.
UAE’s fixtures: Fri Apr 20, UAE v Qatar; Sat Apr 21, UAE v Saudi Arabia; Mon Apr 23, UAE v Bahrain; Tue Apr 24, UAE v Maldives; Thu Apr 26, UAE v Kuwait
World T20 2020 Qualifying process:
- Sixteen teams will play at the World T20 in two years’ time.
- Australia have already qualified as hosts
- Nine places are available to the top nine ranked sides in the ICC’s T20i standings, not including Australia, on Dec 31, 2018.
- The final six teams will be decided by a 14-team World T20 Qualifier.
World T20 standings: 1 Pakistan; 2 Australia; 3 India; 4 New Zealand; 5 England; 6 South Africa; 7 West Indies; 8 Sri Lanka; 9 Afghanistan; 10 Bangladesh; 11 Scotland; 12 Zimbabwe; 13 UAE; 14 Netherlands; 15 Hong Kong; 16 Papua New Guinea; 17 Oman; 18 Ireland
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
