UAE 30 March 2020: Dubai Economy reassured residents on Sunday that there is no need for panic or anxiety regarding the availability of hygiene essentials.
Dubai Economy affirmed that there are ‘adequate’ stocks of face masks, gloves and sanitisers at leading supermarkets across the country. It also reminded residents to shop responsibly and avoid hoarding of essentials.
It noted Lulu supermarkets’ efforts to source a daily average of 1.6 million face masks across their 75 branches in the UAE, said Wam.
Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, CEO of the Commercial Compliance and Consumer Protection sector in Dubai Economy, said, “We express our sincere appreciation for the Lulu Group for their keenness to support the precautionary measures being adopted by the UAE authorities against the Covid-19 pandemic. The prompt action by Lulu Group to provide adequate supplies of hygiene essentials will enhance confidence among the public and help them comply with the prevention guidelines against the pandemic.”
“Retailers in Dubai, especially those supplying basic needs of people, have risen to the occasion and ensured that residents do not face any shortage during this critical time,” he added.
“Dubai Economy calls on all commercial outlets to continue to co-operate with the authorities and reaffirm their commitment to consumer rights as well as public health and safety, which has played a major role in establishing Dubai a competitive business hub and a preferred place to live,” Lootah affirmed.
V. Nandakumar, Chief Communications Officer of Lulu Group, said, “From the time of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, we have been flying-in these essentials so that we have uninterrupted availability and sustained supply of such goods throughout all our stores. We are sourcing these hygiene products from the top manufacturers who fully comply with international best practices and health standards.”
A box of 18 masks costs Dh29 while the price of a set of 100 gloves starts at Dh26, he explained.
Dubai Economy urged consumers to raise any concern regarding unavailability of essentials or price manipulation via its call centre number 600 54 5555, the ‘Dubai Consumer’ app, or the Consumer Rights website.
Products used in sterilisation operations safe: DM
As Dubai Municipality continues its operations to sterilise public areas and buildings in the emirate as part of the ongoing national sterilisation programme, it has reassured the public that products being used in the disinfection procedures do not pose any risks and meet the highest standards for safety and effectiveness.
The civic body confirmed that the sterilisation products used in the campaign do not contain active substances except for hydrogen peroxide, which is used in safe ways by specialised personnel after proportionately diluting the chemical according to mandatory safety requirements. The municipality clarified that all disinfection and sterilisation products contain chemical ingredients but varies in the concentration of active substances.
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General, Dubai Municipality, said the city-wide sterilisation follows globally benchmarked safety guidelines in the method of use, dilution, and mixing ratios. Disinfection procedures are carried out by a special team of experts with a strong focus on public safety.
He added that all sanitation products used in the campaign contain active ingredients approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Antimicrobial Chemicals Center (CBC) and recommended for sterilisation by the World Health Organization. They are also evaluated by Dubai Municipality to verify their effectiveness and registered in the ‘Montaji’ smart app approved by the World Health Organization, Al Hajri said.
Al Hajri stressed on the need for the public to stay at home during the disinfection operations and urged them not gather at sites where the operation is being conducted in order to ensure a smooth operation and avoid delays.
226 areas covered
The Dubai Municipality campaign, which began last Thursday, has so far completed sterilization operations in 226 areas and public facilities in the emirate with the support of 186 specialised personnel. Implemented in cooperation with its strategic partners, the campaign is being conducted within the framework of preventive efforts aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all members of society. The programme forms part of efforts undertaken by institutions and bodies in the country to ensure the highest levels of protection and prevention in the community.
The sterilisation operations feature advanced devices and technologies in accordance with international best practices. Dubai Municipality is also using drones in conducting the procedures, which enhance the speed and efficiency of the sterilisation operations.
Specialised teams have deployed advanced vehicles and equipment for spraying and disinfection, including spraying devices on vehicles that compress disinfection fluid into small particles, portable sprays that operate with hydraulic retail power, and spray and fumigation machines. All sanitation products used were approved by the Municipality. They were evaluated to verify their effectiveness and registered in the ‘Montaji’ smart app approved by the World Health Organization.
Over 220,000 laboratory tests conducted: MoHAP
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), announced that it had carried out more than 220,000 laboratory tests across the UAE for coronavirus, Covid-19. This makes the UAE’s testing coverage at over 22,900 test per million people; the second highest test density in the world.
The tests have been conducted in collaboration with various authorities in the country, as part of the government’s efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of citizens and residents and to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The recent figures are a testimony to the efficiency of the national health system and the country’s readiness to tackle the virus.
ERC initiatives to contain spread of Covid-19
Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) is planning to launch a set of initiatives over the coming period in support of ‘The Fund of the United Arab Emirates: Homeland of Humanity’, which has recently been launched in coordination with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and other humanitarian and charity organisations and societies in the country.
Dr. Mohammad Ateeq Al Falahi, ERC Secretary-General, said the ERC’s initiatives cover various vital sectors, including health, education, food security, and logistics in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Food Security.
“The ERC provides health parcels, and contributes to the National Disinfection Programme launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention. In the field of education, the ERC supports the distance education programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Education by providing laptops and other related technological devices, while providing volunteers from the authority to deliver additional tutorials via the Ministry’s website,” he added.
The ERC also provides food and water parcels to a select of segments of society at their residences and contributes to sanitising ATMs and retail food outlets nationwide, he continued, explaining that “these activities cover senior citizens, people of determination, orphans, prisoners’ households and indigent families.”
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