It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit countries across the world. As the UAE was impacted, the government was quick to respond as it imposed curfews and movement restrictions on March 24, 2020. The UAE recorded its first COVID-19 case on January 29, 2020, following which the government began imposing strict measures to control the spread of the virus. The healthcare sector carried out extensive testing to ensure the early detection of cases.

Amid this development, here is a roundup of major developments related to COVID-19 in the UAE in the past few days:

Over 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in 24 hours

In the past 24 hours, the UAE has administered a total of 103,156 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered so far has reached 7.47 million, taking the rate of doses per 100 people to 75.61.

Nurseries in Sharjah to reopen soon

The local emergency, crisis, and disaster management team in Sharjah has announced that government and private nurseries in Sharjah can reopen and receive children from March 28 in compliance with strict COVID-19 safety protocols. In cooperation with the Sharjah Private Education Authority, the team carried out multiple inspections at the nurseries in order to ensure they are Coronavirus-safe to receive children. Authorities have provided a detailed guide to the schools and nurseries which enlists all COVID-19 safety measures. Authorities have also made it mandatory for nurseries staff to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing every two weeks. At the same time, safety inspections have been conducted to ensure compliance with precautionary measures.

Gatherings for mid-Sha'ban suspended

The Ras Al Khaimah Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Team has announced the suspension of the middle of Sha’ban gatherings. In this regard, the authorities have issued a warning that violators will face punishment as gatherings on the 15th of Sha’ban will be considered a breach of public health protocols amid efforts to combat the pandemic crisis. Earlier, Brigadier General Abdullah Khamis Al Hadidi, the Acting Commander-in-Chief of RAK Police, noted that a field team from the Community Police Department would conduct regular awareness campaigns on COVID-19 safety measures for businesses in Ras Al Khaimah.

New COVID-19 safety measures

As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the UAE, the authorities have implemented new stringent measures to curb the virus spread. The UAE has announced mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for private and public sector employees every week or two. As per the latest announcement, employees in five sectors across the UAE will have to take COVID-19 PCR tests every 14 days. These sectors include hotels, transportation, restaurants, health and social and personal activities such as laundries, beauty salons, and hairdressers. People who have received the vaccination have been exempted.

Abu Dhabi has also mandated all private-sector employees in vital sectors and service industries across the emirate to undergo compulsory PCR Tests every two weeks. The other Emirates have also announced similar measures to ensure employees in ministries and federal government departments undergo PCR tests every seven days. Meanwhile, vaccinated employees have been exempted.

Dubai becomes one of the world's safest cities

Dubai has ranked first in over 11 personal safety indicators within varied competitiveness indices, emerging as one of the safest cities in the world. According to a recent policy brief issued by the Dubai Competitiveness Office, Dubai employed its fundamentals on safety and security to sustain the top position in competitiveness amid the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. Dubai has set standards for its effectiveness in managing the global health crisis.

New COVID-19 strains "more infectious"

UAE researchers are closely monitoring the new strains of COVID-19, which are resulting in an unprecedented surge in infected cases across the world. At a recent COVID-19 briefing, Dr. Farida Al Hosani, spokesperson for the UAE’s health sector, said that the health authorities have found that the new mutations of the virus appear to spread faster and are more infectious and transmissible. But, so far, it does not appear to have caused severe infection or a higher mortality rate. The UAE's health authorities have carried out regular follow-ups and research on the contagion and found out that the new strains are causing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in countries across the globe.

UAE students can write board exams in India

Principals in UAE schools have announced that Class X and Class XII students studying under CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) can change their board exam centers this year in view of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CBSE also confirmed that the decision was taken to ensure that students who have relocated to different cities and countries due to compelling situations are able to write their exams. Students can get more information regarding the entire process from the official website of the CBSE at cbse.gov.in.

Pandemic-time artworks fetch $62m to help affected children

On March 22, the world’s biggest art canvas made by Sacha Jafri in Dubai was auctioned for $62 million. The amount will be routed to four charities through Dubai Cares with the aim of helping underprivileged children across the world. As per reports, the British contemporary artist was working on the masterpiece at Atlantis, The Palm throughout the last year. He was hoping to cut the painting into 70 pieces and sell at six auctions in different countries over the next few months. Titled "Journey of Humanity", the painting took about eight months to complete as Jafri dedicated 20 hours every day to finish the masterpiece. Over 17,000 square feet in size, the final piece is equal to two football fields put together.

E-learning or in-person schooling for next term

UAE's education authorities are conducting an opinion poll among parents to understand their preferred mode of education for children during the upcoming third term. The Emirates Foundation for School Education announced that the last date for participating in the survey is March 24. Parents can choose between two modes - Distance education or in-person learning - for their children to ensure that the learning process continues across the country.

Two on trial for assaulting Dubai Police officers

Two men are facing trial in Dubai on charges of insulting and assaulting police officers on January 29 at Naif in Deira. The two Arab men were found by a policeman without masks. When the officer confronted the first defendant (46) to show his Emirates ID, he denied and offered to pay a fine on the spot. However, when the officer asked him to come to the police station, he refused and tried to run away. Later, he was arrested by the officer. The other defendant (32) was trying to film the entire incident. When the officer asked the defendant for his cellphone, he pushed the policeman.

Global COVID-19 caseload over 124 million

The total number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 124 million, while the total number of deaths has increased to over 2.73 million. Reportedly, the United States is the worst-hit country in the world, with the highest number of cases and deaths at 29,920,561 and 543,793, respectively.

Global COVID-19 Vaccination campaign

To date, 139 countries have started vaccinating their population against Coronavirus. More than 457,682,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in different countries across the world. Gibraltar is leading the global vaccination campaign as it has inoculated 79 percent of its population.