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.
Department of Health dedicates all Covid-19 vaccination centres in Abu Dhabi and other emirates to all citizens and residents who are senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and People of Determination for six weeks starting 7 Feb.
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice)
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’s 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 “capped operating capacity of commercial, economic and tourism activities.”
Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has capped operating capacity of commercial, economic and tourism activities, effective 7 February, to bolster precautionary measures implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19.
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice)
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.
Community Development Authority and Dubai Health Authority launch home vaccination drive for senior citizens in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice)
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’s 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.
تعلن عن تأكيد إصابة 962 حالة جديدة، وتسجيل 445 حالة شفاء، و 2 حالة وفاة جديدة بـ COVID-19 ، ليصبح إجمالي عدد الحالات 170,998 حالة
— وزارة الصحة - الكويت (@KUWAIT_MOH)
Oman’s health ministry confirmed 633 new cases and two additional deaths.
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February 7, 2021— وزارة الصحة - عُمان (@OmaniMOH)
In Bahrain, 616 new cases were confirmed and one death.
Out of 13380 COVID-19 tests carried out on 7 February 2021, 616 new cases have been detected among 230 expatriate workers, 363 new cases are contacts of active cases, and 23 are travel related. There 396 recoveries from , increasing total recoveries to 101168
— وزارة الصحة | مملكة البحرين (@MOH_Bahrain)
