As the numbers continue to sharply increase, the UAE yesterday announced 85 new coronavirus cases, more than doubling the total to 333 from 140 last week.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest man-made structure, beams a message asking residents to stay home. CTTO
Among the new infections were three Filipinos. There already were eight Filipinos who have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease brought by the novel coronavirus. The new cases brought the number of Filipinos afflicted with the disease at 11, of which two have recovered.
Dubai Police ask Filipinos in to stay at home. CTTO
The number of COVID-19 infections in the UAE has been jumping up since Monday, March 23, when the government confirmed 45 new cases. On Tuesday, 50 new cases were reported – the single biggest number of confirmed cases since January – bringing the total to 248.
There have been two deaths.
On the recoveries side, the government announced that seven more COVID-19 patients have recuperated, bringing the number so far at 52.
In a regular press briefing by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson and director of the Department of Communicable Diseases (DED), Al Hosani stressed the importance of all UAE citizens and residents staying home unless absolutely necessary, and adhering to all precautionary measures advised by the authorities.
“The detection of one infected case compels the authorities to conduct a necessary investigation among all those in contact with this one case in order to identify the source of the infection and its aftermath. In this we usually detect additional cases. It usually starts with a person coming from abroad who then transmits the virus to others around him or her,” she explained.
“The recent precautionary measures announced are aimed at protecting society, with the law to be applied only to violators of the UAE law on communicable diseases, under which violators are subject to jail terms and fines,” she warned.
Al Hosani said the new cases are from various nationalities, including one each from Djibouti, Canada, Hungary, Russia, Belgium, Mauritius, Tunisia, Serbia, Venezuela, Sweden, Brazil, Romania, and Oman; two each from Palestine, Indonesia, Colombia, Japan, Germany, Egypt, Morocco and Spain; three each from the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, Philippines, France, India, the US, and China; four each from Saudi Arabia and Italy; five each from Iran and Pakistan, and seven each from the UAE and Britain, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 333.
She also announced the recovery of seven cases–five Bangladeshis and two Pakistani nationals–who have all been discharged from the hospital after making a full recovery, taking the total number of recoveries in the UAE to 52 so far.
The Dubai Police has started using drones to ensure full compliance with decisions and disseminate the critical message of avoiding public spaces and vacating shores as a precautionary measure to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Colonel Saeed Al Madhani, Director of Ports Police Station in Dubai, stressed the Dubai Police’s HQ keenness to utilize the latest modern technologies in implementing government decisions in the areas of jurisdiction. This includes the recent temporary closure of public and private beaches which was announced by the “Ministry of Health and Prevention” and the “National Authority for Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management”, to fight the spread of Covid-19.
Colonel Al Madhani, indicated that the Ports Police Station had facilitated drone patrols in its daily work through the “Nawras” (Seagull) project, which is carried out in cooperation with the Drone Centre in the Dubai Police. He stressed that the purpose of using drones is to enhance the security and safety as well as to follow up on marine incidents, navigation issues and to secure public beaches and activities in their jurisdiction.
“Our drones are equipped with cameras that can photograph events in range, whether during the day or night. They can also carry loudspeakers to broadcast Dubai Police messages and announcements to the public”, Al Madhani explained.
Al Madhani urged public members to adhere to the precautionary instructions for Covid-19, avoid crowded places and to stay home, wishing everyone safety and security. (Source: Dubai Media Office)
DUBAI: The UAE has called for calm as it announced 45 new COVID-19 cases, among which included 17 people infected by a person who returned from abroad and did not quarantine himself.
It was the single biggest number of confirmed cases announced since January.
Altogether, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UAE now stands at 198, of which 41 have recovered and two have died.
In a regular media briefing held yesterday March 23, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson of the UAE health sector, said among the new infections is a Filipino. This brought the number of Filipinos afflicted with the disease at six, of which two have recuperated so far.
Meantime, Dr. Al Hosani said that one of the declared cases is a person who returned from abroad but did not quarantine himself and waited for the test results. This caused the transmission of the virus to 17 people who came in contact with him, such as family members, relatives, and coworkers.
Al Hosani said: “The protection of our homeland, families, and people is the responsibility that our leadership has placed upon our shoulders. Our compliance with preventive health measures contributes directly to efforts aimed at overcoming this challenge. Today, there is no time for courtesy at the expense of the health of our families and community.”
Dr. Al Hosani said the other individuals who tested positive belonged to various nationalities, including one each from Iraq, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, Italy, Peru, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Somalia, the UK, Sudan, Egypt, Ireland, Russia, Montenegro, France, and Poland, in addition to two from Canada, three from Bangladesh, four each from Pakistan and the US, and seven from both the UAE and India.
All individuals in question were stable and are being treated, she said.
Meantime, three more people–two Nepalese and one Iranian—have fully recovered from the disease after receiving the necessary healthcare. The total number of recovered cases now stands at 41.
The briefing also detailed the various preventive measures taken so far, such as the closure of malls (except grocery stores and pharmacies), the suspension of flights, and restrictions on restaurants.
Al Hosani called upon the general public to maintain calm and patience and refrain from circulating rumors, pointing to the Attorney General’s recent statement regarding enforcement of the law for violators.
She also stressed the importance of adhering to the preventive measures issued by the relevant health authorities in the country.
DUBAI: The UAE government has joined the rest of the world in implementing measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
It has urged the public to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or perform essential jobs.
The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management (NECD) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have likewise decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks as part of the precautionary measures taken to curb the spread of the COVID-19.
Commercial centers, shopping malls along with fish, meat and vegetables markets will also be closed for a renewable period of two weeks.
In light of this the Philippine Embassy and Consulate issued an advisory suspending all frontline consular services also for two weeks.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority urged everyone to comply with the instructions and guidelines issued by competent health and security authorities, primarily limiting social contacts and avoiding crowded places to ensure their safety and well-being.
“The public are also urged to use their own family cars with a maximum of three individuals per vehicle. They are also advised not to visit public places and maintain social distancing protocols during family gatherings as part of the precautionary measures taken to ensure public health and safety,” added the statement.
The two government agencies also urged everyone not to visit hospitals except for critical or emergency cases and to use face masks.
“Additional instructions will be issued later involving the use of public transport, taxis and other means of transportation,” said the statement.
The UAE law on communicable diseases, which includes fines and jail terms, will be enforced against all violators, added the statement.
The suspension of all flights and transit of airline passengers is subject to re-assessment and will take effect in 48 hours.
In a statement, the CAA said cargo and emergency evacuation flights would be exempt, taking into consideration all the precautionary measures adopted as per the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).
“Additional examination and isolation arrangements will be taken later should flights resume in order to ensure the safety of passengers, air crews, and airport personnel and their protection from infection risks,” said the statement.
In a separate statement, MoHAP said the move to temporary close all commercial centers, shopping malls along with fish, meat and vegetables markets for a renewable period of two weeks will also take effect after 48 hours, and will be subject to review and re-assessment.
The decision excludes pharmacies, and food retail outlets, including cooperative societies, grocery stores, and supermarkets, along with fish, meat and vegetables markets dealing with wholesalers.
Under the decision, restaurants will not be allowed to receive customers. Instead, their services will be limited to home deliveries only.
Meantime, the embassy and the consulate, in a public advisory, said all consular services, including passport renewal and application are suspended from March 24 to April 8.
Those with scheduled appointments for the said period will be accommodated from April 12 to May 12 from Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3:30 pm.
DUBAI: Faced with an upward trend in COVID-19 cases, the UAE government has closed, for the next two weeks beginning today, public and private beaches, parks, swimming pools and movie theatres, among others to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.
This as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) urged the public to observe safety measures including “social distancing.”
Coronavirus cases have been on an upswing since the first week of March, as per official government announcements – from 11 on Feb. 21 to 27 on March 3.
The numbers continued to go up with 15 cases reported on March 7; 14 on March 9; 15 on March 10; and 11 on March 12 which brought the total at 85.
The government reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on March 16 and 15 more cases on March 18.
Twenty-seven coronavirus cases were reported by MoHAP on March 19 and 13 on March 21, bring the total at 153.
On a brighter side, the number of COVID-19 patients who have recuperated has also steadily increased in the past weeks and is now at 38. There have also been two deaths.
This at hand, the Emirates News Agency (ENA) reported that MoHAP, along with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, have decided to implement the temporary closures as well as regulate the operation of restaurants, cafes, and other food and beverage (F&B) outlets for the same two-week period.
The Dubai Municipality has also implemented a massive sanitation drive covering 95 roads to be sterilized in 11 days. The drive kicked off on March 21 with the stretch of Rigga Road in Deira, Dubai being sprayed with disinfectant.
The closure policy, which is subject to re-assessment, allows restaurants and F&B outlets to continue home delivery services during the closure period.
They can also serve customers, provided only 20 percent of the seating capacity is used at any given time so that the necessary distance between people can be maintained.
A physical distance of two meters between customers, in addition to other sanitation and public hygiene measures, must be ensured. Outdoor and self-order kiosks are exempted.
The two authorities have urged all relevant federal, local, and private institutions to ensure compliance with these decisions as per the law and to roll out all necessary guidelines to boost public awareness of the new measures.
On Saturday, March 21, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, director of the Department of Communicable Diseases urged the public to observe “social distancing.”
“The Ministry urges the general public to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and ensure the overall health and safety of the UAE community,” she said.
The spokesperson urged people to avoid malls, beaches and restaurants and leave their homes only when necessary.
Al Hosani added that a negative COVID-19 test does not mean that individuals can socialise without precautions, but rather must adhere to the 14-day quarantine period to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Keeping people in their homes have been found to be an effective way to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Countries which had apparently failed to swiftly implement such measures have been bearing the brunt of such failure like Italy, which has sounded the global alarm with nearly 5,000 deaths.
DUBAI: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced on Saturday, March 21, that 13 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed, while seven patients, including a Filipino, have recuperated.
At a virtual press briefing, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, who also is director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Abu Dhabi Centre for Public Health, urged the public to observe “social distancing.”
“The Ministry urges the general public to cooperate with health authorities and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and ensure the overall health and safety of the UAE community,” said Al Hosani.
The spokesperson urged people to avoid malls, beaches and restaurants and leave their homes only when necessary.
Al Hosani added that a negative COVID-19 test does not mean that individuals can socialise without precautions, but rather must adhere to the 14-day quarantine period to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Meantime, Al Hosani said that following the discovery of the new cases, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the UAE has reached 153 of which 38 have recuperated and two have died.
The seven new recoveries included two Indians, two emiratis, an Italian, a British national and a Filipino.
There are now two Filipinos who have recuperated from the coronavirus infection. It will be recalled that there were five Filipinos who have been found to be afflicted with COVID-19.
The first Filipino confirmed to have the coronavirus was announced by MoHAP on Feb. 8. The second was reported by the same government agency on Feb. 21. The third and fourth were announced on March 12. The fifth was announced on March 15.
Meantime, Al Hosani said the new cases were discovered at an early stage due to the government’s effective monitoring methods.
All of the newly diagnosed individuals were of different nationalities, Al Hosani noted. She explained that the individuals were identified as having been in contact with previously diagnosed persons and were quarantined and tested accordingly. Others, she added, came into the country from travels abroad.
The new cases included three people each from Britain and Pakistan, four from Bangladesh, and one each from Portugal, Poland, and the US, she said.
Al Hosani stressed that the patients are all in a stable condition and receiving necessary healthcare services.
The UAE today announced the country’s first two deaths by the novel coronavirus.
In a media advisory released at 1 am. the Emirates News Agency (ENA), citing the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) said that one of the individuals was a 78-year old Arab national who had arrived in the country from Europe.
MoHAP urged the general public to cooperate with health authorities, and adhere to precautionary measures announced – particularly social distancing – to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and ensure the overall health and safety of the UAE community.
MOHAP said the cause of death was a heart attack, coinciding with complications from the coronavirus.
MoHAP added that the other individual, a 58-year-old Asian national and resident of the UAE, had prior chronic illnesses – heart disease and kidney failure – which further complicated inability to fight the disease
The health agency expressed regret and sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.
It reassured that both cases had received all necessary medical care and attention in the country’s medical facilities.
The UAE has 140 COVID-19 cases of which 31 have recuperated, including a Filipino.
Glimmer of hope ahead as MoHAP also announced that five more coronavirus patients have recuperated with the total now at 31.
In what was the single biggest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UAE so far, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), yesterday March 19, announced that 27 new infections have been detected, bringing the total at 140 from 113 a day earlier.
At the same, glimmer of hope ahead as MoHAP also announced that five more coronavirus patients have recuperated with the total now at 31.
MoHAP urged members of the public not to circulate misinformation and rumors via social media and called upon the public to rely on official sources for developments on the pandemic.
The announcements were made at a press briefing held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Abu Dhabi.
During the briefing, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, briefed journalists on the latest COVID-19 developments in the country and the measures taken by UAE authorities to combat the spread of the pandemic.
Al Hosani, who is also the Director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Abu Dhabi Centre for Public Health, said that the 27 new cases were discovered at an early stage due to effective monitoring methods. All of the individuals newly diagnosed are from various nationalities, Al Hosani noted.
She explained that the individuals have been in contact with previously diagnosed persons and were quarantined and tested accordingly. Others, she added, were individuals who came into the country from travels abroad.
The spokesperson said that following the discovery of the new cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases has reached 140, with two cases in critical condition.
During the briefing, the spokesperson also revealed the full recovery of five individuals of which three were Emiratis.
A Syrian and Sri Lankan national have also fully recovered, bringing the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the UAE to 31.
The briefing highlighted the UAE’s efforts and immediate response measures to ensure the health and safety of the general public.
Journalists were updated on the latest developments and preventative measures taken by the country to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.
Also discussed during the briefing were the current measures being taken to ensure the safe return of 4,340 students currently studying abroad.
Union Metro Station
Dr. Al Hosani explained that the Ministries of Health and Prevention and Education are working together to ensure that the students return home. She added that the UAE education ministry has set up a special committee to ensure that students’ scholarship affairs remain in order.
The ministries are also working together to communicate with the students, relaying vital information to them to ensure their health and safety, she added.
The spokesperson highlighted that UAE authorities had imposed home quarantines lasting two weeks for all individuals returning to the country.
As for food security, the spokesperson stressed that the country had sufficient food and medicinal stockpiles.
Expats returning to the UAE will need to postpone their trips for at least two weeks as the government today, Thursday March 19, suspended entry of all residence visa holders as part of measures to dodge a COVID-19 outbreak in the country, where the number of infections has jumped in March and currently stands at 113.
In line with this, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has established a round-the-clock helpline to facilitate procedures.
Holders of valid residence permits overseas and their family members and first-degree relatives in the UAE can call the helpline 0097124965228 for inquiries and assistance for humanitarian and emergency cases to ensure their safe return to the UAE, MoFAIC said.
The agency explained that these measures were part of precautionary and preventive efforts taken by the UAE to contain the spread of COVID-19
The measure, which took effect at 12 noon, reportedly created confusion at the UAE’s airports as returning expats caught by the deadline were ordered back.
Comment thread of the announcement, which was made through the Emirates News Agency on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/WAMNEWS_ENG/status/1240406975453765635) was also filled with queries as expats were consequently thrown in limbo. Some were saying there should have been at least a 2-day window prior to implementation.
Netizens, too, were taken aback by the new directive.
“So, it means umalis ng hatinggabi sa atin (sa Pilipinas), pasok pa. Ang nakakaloka, last minute yang 12 noon nila. Marami ang naabala. May nakapasok na sa eroplano, pinababa pa,” Annie Salcedo of Sharjah told Rappler. Her son was supposed to go to Dubai but had to postpone because of a separate UAE directive cancelling visit visa issuances that took effect two days ago on March 17.
Kate Marajas before she left Abu Dhabi for Manila. (Supplied photo)
Kate Marajas, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) currently in the Philippines on a two-week leave, said it has all been a rollercoaster ride for her as the whole of Luzon island was put on lockdown. Aggravating the situation was an announcement by the government to stop international flights, which was later on eased. And now, this new directive.
“Honestly, it’s somehow devastating. We can’t really tell what will happen in the next few days – the Malacanang Palace implementing new and revised guidelines, airlines suspending the flights, and some workers losing their jobs due to COVID-19.
“I understand that government officials are trying to do their best but please clarify all these measures kasi it’s causing us confusion,” she told Rappler.
Marajas, who works a writing job in Abu Dhabi, arrived in Manila on March 14. She was supposed to be back in Abu Dhabi on April 7.
She said her boss advised her not to stressed herself out and extend her leave of absence, albeit without pay for the number of days beyond the company-approved date.
Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai
Kris Ayuso, customer service manager at an advertising company in Dubai, said she was supposed to fly on the same day the same day the suspension took effect.
“Yung araw na iyon ako dapat babalik,” she said.
Staying in Laguna, Ayuso said she went home on March 12 because her sister-in-law passed away.
Kris Ayuso
“Online naman lahat ng system namin so I can work remotely,”Ayuso said, adding that she has not talked to her employer about whether her extended stay in the Philippines can be added to her paid leave credits.
She said current developments have been nerve-wracking.
“Nakaka-hassle sya.. nagparebook na kami ng ticket. Originally, March 21 kami pabalik ng Dubai, then nag-announce na 72 hours dapat maka-alis ng Pilipinas so nagrebook kami only to find out the next day binawi yung 72 hours and then yung ngang entry suspension ng UAE.
“Its frustrating kasi our work nga is there plus magma-month end so there is the worry of the bills and all. Pero at the end of the day, we respect and understand naman yung ways ng UAE government for everyone’s safety.
“Ang worry lang din namin is ung rebooking ng ticket since additional cost sya plus we were advised that since its a developing situation, wag muna pa-rebook din.”
The directive suspending the entry of all UAE valid residence visa holders, who are currently out of the country, for a renewable period of two weeks effective 12 noon of Thursday, March 19, comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of those affected by the decision, ENA, a government operated news outfit, reported.
The directive is subject to renewals depending on the health status measures taken due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, ENA said.
The Union Metro Station in Dubai
Meantime the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying out of the country, to pursue the following procedures:
Those who are now staying in their countries of origin have to contact the UAE diplomatic missions in their respective nations for all necessary support and to streamline their return back to the UAE.
Those who are currently outside the UAE for business considerations have to contact their employers here as well as Emirati diplomatic missions in their host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.
Those who are now on vacation have to contact UAE diplomatic missions in their respective host countries for all necessary support to facilitate their return back to the UAE.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has for its part urged the families and kin of of those affected by the decision to get in touch with the ICA via the following contact numbers to get updated on all the measures they have to pursue:
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