With all coronavirus safety measures strictly in place, UAE is fully prepared to host mega event of Expo 2020 Dubai, the authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

With just two days remaining for opening of Expo, Dr Taher Al Ameri, spokesman for the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, said the country was "fully prepared to manage large-scale global events while ensuring the safety of all visitors and tourists". He reminded the public importance to follow Covid-19 rules and maintain UAE’s achievements in successfully fighting the pandemic. “It is a national responsibility,” he said at a weekly Covid-19 briefing. “We trust people will continue to be aware and adhere to all the protocols.”

“At this phase, social integration is essential to return to a new normal life. We recommend following all measures, regular testing and getting vaccinated.”

The UAE is leading in vaccinating its population against Covid-19 with at least one dose been administered to all. A free comprehensive national vaccination campaign began last year in December. “To support the vaccine drive and its safe use, a national team was formed to oversee all studies and research on the Covid-19 vaccines, whether conducted by international health organisations or in the UAE,” Dr Al Ameri said.

“All information on vaccines, including booster shots and how to get them, are announced according to the findings of the team with great transparency to ensure everyone is well informed.”

He said the UAE has been very communicative to the country’s population by providing all the information through government media briefings and official channels. “All information and protocols on the pandemic are shared through official platforms, in addition to information on the vaccines and other important topics,” he said.

“We call upon the people to confirm the accuracy of news being shared on social media. We stress the need to obtain information from official accredited sources to avoid legal liability. The spread of misinformation and rumours is damaging, as it hinders the country’s efforts to recover across different sectors.”

On Tuesday, the UAE has reported 277 new Covid-19 cases and 329 recoveries. There was no death reported due to the virus. The country has recorded 735,457 cases, 727,845 recoveries and 2,094 deaths since detection of first coronavirus case on January 29 last year.

More than 90,500 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered, bringing the fully vaccinated people percentage in the UAE to 83.03 per cent. Currently, 93.71 per cent have had at least one dose. The total vaccine doses administered since pandemic onset is 19,963,359.

The National