https://arab.news/nf3zz
- Abu Dhabi caps operating capacity of commercial, economic and tourism activities
- Kuwait reports 962 new cases and 2 deaths, Oman records 633 new cases and 2 deaths
DUBAI: The UAE is to dedicate all coronavirus vaccination centers to the elderly and people with chronic diseases for up to six weeks as numbers of infections in the country continue to climb.
The health ministry said people in other categories may still get vaccinated after prior appointment with centers across the country, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday.
The UAE plans to inoculate half the population by April, with priority going to the more vulnerable groups. The whole population should be vaccinated by the end of the year.
More than 4.3 million people have already been vaccinated in the Emirates, with 112,521 people receiving the jab in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday鈥檚 announcement.
As cases grow, Dubai has announced a series of new precautions and Abu Dhabi followed suit on Sunday with new measures introduced with immediate effect to try and stop the spread.
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee said it has 鈥渃apped operating capacity of commercial, economic and tourism activities.鈥�
Cinemas were closed and shopping malls reduced to 40 percent capacity. Gyms, private beaches and swimming pools are only allowed half the amount of people compared to normal.
Restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, public beaches and parks were reduced to 60 percent and taxis and buses to 45 percent and 75 percent, respectively.
The committee also said gatherings and parties would be prohibited, except for weddings, which would be limited to 10 people, and funerals and mournings, limited to 20 people.
On Saturday, Abu Dhabi reduced attendance at the workplace in government and semi-government institutions to 30 percent.
In Dubai, a home vaccination drive for senior citizens was launched while Dubai Police encourage members of the public to report any violations of coronavirus measures. The force has already received around 1,000 reports in one week.
Several people were fined 50,000 dirhams ($13,613) after a private yacht party. The license was revoked for one month from the boat鈥檚 operators.
The Emirates has suffered 921 deaths. Some 3,093 new cases and seven deaths were recorded Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Kuwait reported 962 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths.
Oman鈥檚 health ministry confirmed 633 new cases and two additional deaths.
In Bahrain, 616 new cases were confirmed and one death.