• A Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's International Financial Centre district. AFP
    A Covid-19 vaccination centre in Dubai's International Financial Centre district. AFP
  • A masked falconer entertains tourists at Dubai's historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. AFP
    A masked falconer entertains tourists at Dubai's historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood. AFP
  • Cove Beach at Caesars Palace, Dubai. Reuters
    Cove Beach at Caesars Palace, Dubai. Reuters
  • Fitness enthusiasts in Dubai return to gyms as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Fitness enthusiasts in Dubai return to gyms as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Coronavirus vaccine shipment arrives at Dubai International Airport. AFP
    Coronavirus vaccine shipment arrives at Dubai International Airport. AFP
  • The number of joggers has increased steadily along Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island in recent months. EPA
    The number of joggers has increased steadily along Dubai's Palm Jumeirah island in recent months. EPA
  • A nationwide vaccination and screening drive in Dubai has been credited for helping to limit the spread of Covid-19. Dubai Media Office
    A nationwide vaccination and screening drive in Dubai has been credited for helping to limit the spread of Covid-19. Dubai Media Office
  • Temperature scanners at Dubai International Airport are one of several measures introduced by the emirate to help detect Covid-19 among travellers. AP
    Temperature scanners at Dubai International Airport are one of several measures introduced by the emirate to help detect Covid-19 among travellers. AP

Dubai Covid-19 rules 'driven by data and experts – not foreign media coverage'


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Covid-19 restrictions in Dubai are based on data and advice from health experts – and not hostile foreign media reports, a senior official said.

Helal Al Marri, director general of Dubai Tourism, said the city had a "clear plan" to deal with cases.

"We do look at this very carefully, sector by sector and sub sector to see where we need to tighten and where we need to lift restrictions," he told CNN Connect the World

He was asked about coverage from British newspapers in particular, which seized on how many celebrities holidayed in Dubai while their home country was on lockdown.

"All of the decisions related to public health are led by our health authority and our scientists sitting there. Whatever they recommend, we work with the private sector to make sure it is implemented in the best possible way," Mr Al Marri said.

“And that will continue. It’s nothing to do with what anyone else tells us because there is a very clear plan."

On Monday, the emirate imposed a series of restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Capacity was cut o 50 per cent in cinemas, entertainment and sports complexes. Hotels, swimming pools and malls are now allowed to admit a maximum 70 per cent of their capacity.

Restaurants and cafes are required to close by 1am and any venue classed as a "pub or bar" but that is not a restaurant has been closed.

The emirate also cancelled all non-urgent surgery, to help free up medics and equipment.

Last month, Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, said the country had found a way to balance economic needs and rising case numbers.

“It’s really about balancing personal responsibility, with an economy that needs to go forward," he said.

Profile of Udrive

Date started: March 2016

Founder: Hasib Khan

Based: Dubai

Employees: 40

Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

The specs

Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Power: 300hp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: Dh189,900

On sale: now

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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.