Mass testing across the country is credited with saving lives and allowing the economy to reopen gradually. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Mass testing across the country is credited with saving lives and allowing the economy to reopen gradually. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
A mass testing campaign aims to screen all workers living in Abu Dhabi’s Mussaffah area
A mass testing campaign aims to screen all workers living in Abu Dhabi’s Mussaffah area
The testing is free of cost, said the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
The testing is free of cost, said the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
Free transportation is provided to take workers from their accommodation to testing centres.
Free transportation is provided to take workers from their accommodation to testing centres.
The initiative announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, said no legal action will be taken against those who are living in the emirate on expired visas.
The initiative announced by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, said no legal action will be taken against those who are living in the emirate on expired visas.
“Testing campaign and sanitisation [are] to be conducted in gradual phases, and in coordination with targeted blocks,” said the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
“Testing campaign and sanitisation [are] to be conducted in gradual phases, and in coordination with targeted blocks,” said the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The main medical registration area at the Seha facility in Mussaffah.
The main medical registration area at the Seha facility in Mussaffah.
Another queue sends visitors to a line where they are processed by handing over their Emirates ID card and phone number.
Another queue sends visitors to a line where they are processed by handing over their Emirates ID card and phone number.
A staff member of the center directs a workers to the next area at the screening centre.
A staff member of the center directs a workers to the next area at the screening centre.
A high body temperature of 38°C could indicate signs of fever, a common coronavirus symptom.
A high body temperature of 38°C could indicate signs of fever, a common coronavirus symptom.
Visitors must complete a brief questionnaire to help nurses understand the health status of those waiting in line.
Visitors must complete a brief questionnaire to help nurses understand the health status of those waiting in line.
On arrival in Mussaffah, workers walk through a sanitisation mist shower before entering the tented clinic.
On arrival in Mussaffah, workers walk through a sanitisation mist shower before entering the tented clinic.
Workers and residents queue in front of the sanitising gate before they can enter the main tent screening centre.
Workers and residents queue in front of the sanitising gate before they can enter the main tent screening centre.

Health

Top Emirati doctor: stay away from big play groups and wear a mask if a handyman visits your home

Dr Omar Al Hammadi urges all to be cautious at home and avoid crowds and enclosed areas

Shireena Al Nowais
UAE

March 11, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A top coronavirus doctor has three pieces of advice for UAE residents: avoid enclosed spaces; wear a mask if someone enters your home; and keep your children away from big play groups.

Dr Al Hammadi made his comments in a video message recorded for an Arabic newspaper.

The internal medicine consultant, who frequently appears in television broadcasts, said enclosed spaces and people who travel widely for work both posed a major transmission risk.

Everyone knows the virus spreads in crowded areas, places where there is no social distancing and in closed areas with no ventilation

“It has become repetitive and mundane to talk about transmission methods, especially after a year,” he said.

“Everyone knows the virus spreads in crowded areas, places where there is no social distancing and in closed areas with no ventilation, even with a few people.”

But the virus can be transmitted during an essential home-repair visit.

“Let’s assume you need a faulty appliance fixed," Dr Al Hammadi said.

"Unfortunately, [sometimes] when the handyman enters the house, one of the parties eases on the required precautionary measures.

Dr Omar Al Hammadi, internal medicine specialist in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Dr Omar Al Hammadi
Dr Omar Al Hammadi, internal medicine specialist in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Dr Omar Al Hammadi

“Sometimes, one will not have a mask or fail to maintain social distancing. This is how the virus is transmitted.”

Officials previously urged residents to put a mask on to answer the door or accept food from a delivery driver, each of whom could visit hundreds of homes each week.

He also urged people to be cautious in enclosed spaces such as lifts, which tend to have capacity restricted to two or three people maximum.

“I hope this information helps to reduce the numbers of daily cases during these difficult times.”

He said that in schools, teachers and wardens carefully separate the pupils, but in parks and gardens parents often forget that children can spread the virus.

Children over the age of six are required to wear a mask in all public places, although they can slip or be pulled off.

Most children who become infected with Covid-19 virus have no symptoms, or show only mild symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue and a cough.

Early research suggested that children were not one of the major carriers of the virus – but more recent studies raise concerns.

"Children in schools are supervised and protective measures are followed in the classroom," Dr Al Hammadi said.

"We need to continue following these measures at all times.

"We need to supervise our children to keep our families and communities safe."

UAE vaccination campaign – in pictures

Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
Abu Dhabi resident Abdulaziz Karmastaji gets vaccinated at Seha's cruise ship terminal facility in January
Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
Abu Dhabi resident Shaikha Al Dheiri waiting to get vaccinated.
A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
A healthcare worker smiles for the cameras.
Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
Nearly 20,000 people are vaccinated daily at the centre.
Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, chief executive of Seha, said nearly 20,000 people are getting shots every day.
People in the waiting room.
People in the waiting room.
An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
An Emirati waits for her turn to get the vaccine.
A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
A young Emirati at the vaccination centre at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal area.
Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
Aya, 24, and Jana, 18, after receiving the vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is available across the country without charge at dozens of hospitals, vaccination centres, majlis and clinics.
The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
The Covid-19 vaccination drive is the country's largest to date. The health authorities aim to inoculate half the population by the end of the first quarter.
(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.
(L to R) - Emirati healthcare workers, Mouza Al Beshr, Khadija Al Nuaimi and Za,zam Al Naqbi at the Seha vaccination centre.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):

Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE

Match is on BeIN Sports

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Asia Cup Qualifier

Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September

Fixtures:

Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore

Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman

Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal

Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore

Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu Sep 6: Final

 

Asia Cup

Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Schedule: Sep 15-28

Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier

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While you're here
Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

While you're here
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

NINE WINLESS GAMES

Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)

Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal  (Oct 30, EFL)

Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)

Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal  (Nov 6, Europa)

Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)

Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)

Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)

Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)

Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)

On Women's Day
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

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Read
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

CoronavirusUAE