Do Eid prayers at home; Mosques to open 50%

By Eudore R. Chand

Coronavirus testing centre in Ajman opens today

ABU DHABI 23 July 2020: It has been decided that Eid Al-Adha prayers would be conducted in homes and takbeers broadcast through visual and audio means, according to Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesman for the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.

He also announced that The Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa has recommended that donations and sacrifices should be to official charitable causes in the country only, said Wam.

Al Dhaheri said usable capacity of mosques in the country will be increased to 50% from 3rd August 2020.

He said worshipers should still distance (2 meters) and follow all other preventive measures. He also announced that the period between the call to prayer and prayers would be extended to ten minutes, except for Maghrib prayer, which will be 5 minutes.

Avoid family gatherings

Al Dhaheri stressed the need to avoid family visits and gatherings, and replace them using electronic means of communication or phone contact, as well as refraining from distributing Eid gifts and money to children and individuals during this occasion recommending to instead use of electronic alternatives.

Al Dhaheri pointed out that it is necessary to avoid visiting pregnant women, children and those with chronic diseases who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 and not to allow them to leave the home and avoid going out to public places to preserve their health and safety.

Al Dhaheri announced the continuation of the ban on domestic workers meeting with anyone outside the home, and reminded on the necessity of providing them with protective equipment in the event that they need to deal with people from outside the home such as receiving goods, parcels, and others.

Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri announced the necessity of all returning travellers presenting a PCR test result from accredited laboratories, pointing out that these laboratories can be found through the website screening.purehealth.ae, which will be published in the official channels.

Al Dhahiri stressed the need for air carriers to ensure that those arriving for their flights have a negative test result and ensuring that the test certificate is issued by recognized centers. Tests should have a validity period not exceeding 72 hours upon arrival in the UAE, regardless of the departure airport, as of 24 July 2020.

10,000 volunteers start Phase III vaccine trials

Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention announced that the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi started the third phase of clinical trials on a vaccine to treat Covid-19. Trials will be conducted on 15,000 volunteers, including men and women from different nationalities, noting that the number of volunteers reached about 10,000 people already.

Al Owais stressed that all clinical trials are subject to country regulations, and the strict international guidelines stipulated by the World Health Organisation to ensure the best safety standards for volunteers.

Al Owais added that a hotline was set up to answer volunteers’ questions and provide them with support during the various stages of the trials, in addition to providing mobile clinics to ensure easy access to the volunteers.

Al Owais called on the community members to participate in the trials, stressing that the UAE is an ideal destination for such tests, as it hosts more than 200 nationalities. This great diversity allows those developing the vaccine to conduct more detailed research and contribute to enhancing the viability of the global application of the vaccine pending successful trials.

236 new cases, one death

Dr. Omar Al Hammadi, official spokesman for the UAE Government, said the number of new daily exams has reached 47,014, These tests revealed 236 new cases, all of which are receiving the necessary care in health care institutions. The total number of recorded cases is now 57,734.

Al-Hammadi announced 390 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries in the country to 50,354, while one death was recorded, bringing the death toll to 342. There are 7038 patients currently undergoing medical care and treatment.

Al-Hammadi indicated that the basic rate of reproduction of the virus reflects how quickly the virus spreads, explaining that the latest figure for Covid-19 rate reaches 0.74, less than 1, which reflects the efficiency of the health sector and its ability to reduce the rate of infection and the ability to break the chain of transmission, in addition to the efficiency of the policies and measures taken.

Ajman testing centre opens

The Ajman Medical Zone on Thursday will inaugurate a coronavirus, Covid-19, testing centre in Al Bait Metwahid Hall.

Hamad Tarim Al Shamsi, Director of the Ajman Medical Zone, stated that the required arrangements for opening the centre, which has a testing capacity of over 2,000 people per day, have been completed and it will start receiving citizens and residents after the inauguration.

The zone chose the hall due to its accessible location, as well as its facilities that will meet the needs of individuals and company employees requiring testing, such as its spacious parking area and waiting areas, he added.

Al Shamsi explained that the centre’s working hours are from 9:00 to 17:00, adding that people can register on the website, www.prereg.purehealth.ae.

The centre provides its services to all members of the community free of charge and their results will be sent to their phones, with positive cases being monitored by the Ajman Preventive Medicine Centre.

CLICK FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS

ALSO READ:

Expired UAE visas, Emirates IDs explained

Ruler orders free covid tests for citizens, residents