The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention reported 1,141 new Covid-19 cases in the country and 672 recoveries on Saturday. Four deaths were also confirmed in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 514. 132,374 new tests were carried out, and this projects the number of Covid tests conducted to approximately 14 million. Currently, 2,910 is the number of active cases out of the total 1,41,032 positive cases reported from the country.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee for Covid-19 Pandemic announced new requirements for entering the emirate, which will be in force from Sunday, November 8. All UAE citizens and ex-pats, including Abu Dhabi residents returning to the country, must enter the emirate within 48 hours of receiving a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or diffractive phase interferometry (DPI) laser test result. Residents and visitors are mandated to undergo additional tests based on their period of stay. If they are staying for more than four days, they must take a PCR test on the fourth day from the arrival. If they are staying for eight or more days, another PCR test must be done on the eighth day. The new requirement nullifies the earlier rule announced on September 4, where a mandatory PCR test had to be taken on the sixth day from arrival. Volunteers of the Covid-19 vaccine trials are exempted from these requirements and authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes.
Authorities in the UAE have asked the citizens and residents to follow the official authorities’ social media accounts or mainstream media for accurate information on Covid and not to circulate unconfirmed information. According to the online law, the ministry has warned of punishing those spreading fake information and rumours on social media. Meanwhile, the Dubai Health Authority has announced that the PCR Covid-19 testing stations at the malls across Dubai will accept walk-in customers with changed operating hours. The testing stations at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira will be open for walk-ins from Sunday to Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm and from Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm.
