[citation needed] On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[12] On 28 February, two Italian technicians visiting the country to participate in the UAE Tour, a top level cycling race, were tested positive.[30][31] On 1 March, six more people tested positive for the coronavirus in the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said, bringing the total number of infected persons to 27.[32] On 3 March, a 16-year-old female Indian student in Dubai tested positive for the coronavirus after contracting it from her parent who came back after traveling abroad.[33] On 5 March, the Ministry of Health and Prevention confirmed that a 17-year-old male Emirati student has tested positive for coronavirus and showed no symptoms of it.In a statement, the health ministry said the cases involve four Emiratis, three Italians, two Bangladeshis, two Nepalese, a Russian, an Indian and a Syrian national.[39] On 10 March, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Tuesday confirmed 15 new cases, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 74.The 15 cases involve three Italians, two Emiratis, two from the UK, two from Sri Lanka, two Indians, a German, a South African, a Tanzanian, and an Iranian.The 11 individuals diagnosed include two Italians, two Filipinos, one Montenegrin, one Canadian, one German, one Pakistani, one Emirati, one Russian, and one British citizen.Patients are from Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, USA, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Britain, and Spain.The 102 new cases patients consisted of one person from New Zealand, Slovakia, Morocco, Greece, China, France, Germany, Algeria, Iraq, Colombia, Venezuela, and Poland.[63] On 12 April, the UAE announced its intent to arrange repatriation flights for Indians and other citizens stranded in the Emirates and wishing to go back to their countries.[72] Following the economic downfall of the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE government in July 2020 announced a broad restructuring and merger of more than 50% of its federal agencies, including ministries and departments.As of 9 October 2020, a release in The Telegraph cited that many migrant workers in the UAE were abandoned without money and food, which led them to spending nights in public parks.The conclusion of the survey was drawn based on the responses provided by more than 1,000 UAE employees from across age, gender, nationality, income group, relationship status, and Emirate.[79] On 30 March, UAE announced that the 2-week online "distance learning" for schools and universities would continue until the end of the academic year in June.[82][83] The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) directed all DHA-licensed hospitals to consider all suspected and confirmed cases as emergencies and patients are to be treated free of charge, including those without insurance.[91] However, within few weeks, the situation changed, where the tourism department of Dubai put a complete halt on all public places like hotels and restaurants that offered live entertainment.[92] Dubai's decision to open tourism for travelers was criticized by a number of countries that blamed the Emirate for spreading the virus abroad.[97][99] Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe.[107][108] On 22 April, Reuters reported that about hundreds of low-income migrant workers were seen queuing up across the road outside an Abu Dhabi hospital with the temperature outdoors exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, to get tested for Coronavirus.The doctors confirmed a sharp daily increase in the number of positive cases specifically in the densely populated communities that house low-income group workers.[111] In an effort to return to complete normalcy, UAE officials announced that starting 6 June 2021, those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine and have with them a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours will be allowed to attend events and activities in the country.[113] In Abu Dhabi, the Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee increased workplace attendance up to 60 percent in government entities and companies starting from 30 May 2021.[119] Covering that percentage prompted NCEMA in June 2021 to announce that it will be prioritizing booster shots for the elderly and those with chronic diseases as an additional part of its vaccination efforts.[120] Up to June 2021, the Reuters Covid Tracker reported that nearly 85 percent of the UAE's total eligible population had received at least one dose of a vaccine.[126] In May 2021, the centre was launched and a programme dubbed 'Spring Sprout Action' administered by the Dubai Health Authority allowed Chinese nationals over the age of 16 who hold a short-term visa without UAE residency to receive two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.[134][135] As a result of confusion among the population, the Abu Dhabi Media Office issued a reminder that the decision does not include holders of valid tourist or visit visas.
Arabic - Quick Facts on Coronavirus with DR. Ghorayeb