• A medic works in an isolation unit during an Ebola scare in Guinea, West Africa. AFP
    A medic works in an isolation unit during an Ebola scare in Guinea, West Africa. AFP
  • The virus spreads between humans when blood or other bodily fluids from an infected person come into contact with the broken skin or mucous membranes of another person.
    The virus spreads between humans when blood or other bodily fluids from an infected person come into contact with the broken skin or mucous membranes of another person.
  • It takes between two days and three weeks for the disease to emerge after exposure to the virus. AFP
    It takes between two days and three weeks for the disease to emerge after exposure to the virus. AFP
  • A health worker in 2005 outside a hospital in Uige, Angola, where victims of the Marburg virus were treated.
    A health worker in 2005 outside a hospital in Uige, Angola, where victims of the Marburg virus were treated.
  • The Marburg virus originates in fruit bats. AP
    The Marburg virus originates in fruit bats. AP
  • Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains, diarrhoea and vomiting. AFP
    Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle aches and pains, diarrhoea and vomiting. AFP
  • The WHO is monitoring the emergence of the Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea. Reuters
    The WHO is monitoring the emergence of the Marburg virus in Equatorial Guinea. Reuters

UAE

Marburg virus: Oman says people arriving from affected countries must isolate

Oman issues fresh travel advisory to airlines including Emirates over deadly outbreak

The National

April 07, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Passengers arriving in Oman who have travelled from Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea must isolate and seek immediate assistance if they feel unwell within 21 days of travel, its authorities have said.

Both African countries are battling outbreaks of the Ebola-like virus that has a death rate of up to 88 per cent.

The directive was issued to all airlines, including Emirates, which posted the advisory on Thursday.

Emirates said the Omani authorities also advised people to postpone trips to countries affected by the Marburg virus and "take precautions if travel is urgent".

The airline added that people can contact Oman's Ministry of Health for more information.

A doctor takes a swab from a patient suspected of having Marburg. There is no vaccine for the deadly virus. AFP
A doctor takes a swab from a patient suspected of having Marburg. There is no vaccine for the deadly virus. AFP

The UAE has also advised people travelling from Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea to isolate and visit a health centre for a check-up.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention urged the public to avoid travelling to Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea "unless necessary" due to the spread of the virus.

"The situation in these countries is being closely monitored to determine the global severity of the disease," the ministry said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation had already warned UAE citizens against travelling to the two countries unless absolutely necessary.

Emirates and FlyDubai said flights to Tanzania were operating as normal for now but they were monitoring the situation closely.

Equatorial Guinea, in East Africa, has said the Ebola-like disease spread from rural areas to the commercial capital Bata. The country has confirmed at least 13 cases.

In Tanzania, in the west of the continent, at least eight cases and five deaths have been reported.

Marburg was first detected in 1967 after outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment.

Outbreaks and cases have since been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

Main report
Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make

When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.

“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.

This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).

Age

$250 a month

$500 a month

$1,000 a month

25

$640,829

$1,281,657

$2,563,315

35

$303,219

$606,439

$1,212,877

45

$131,596

$263,191

$526,382

55

$44,351

$88,702

$177,403

 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

Bert van Marwijk factfile

Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder

Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands

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On racial profiling at airports
Updated: April 07, 2023, 11:29 AM
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