UAE 25 March 2020: H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed a 10 percent reduction in the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) bills in the Emirate of Sharjah for three months.
The move is in line with the precautionary measures taken by the government and aimed at facilitating the customers amid the challenges posed by the spread of the coronavirus, Covid-19. The reduction in the electricity bills will cost the government more than Dh230 million.
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad stressed that the Sharjah government is constantly following developments and taking appropriate measures that reassure the public and facilitate them, said Wam.
Dr. Rashid Al Leem, Chairman of Sewa, thanked the Ruler of Sharjah for the humanitarian gesture.
Your Dewa bill cut by 10% for next three months
Passenger flights suspended from Thursday
Following the announcement from the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the UAE, passenger flights will be suspended from Thursday 26 March 2020 at 23:59 (UAE local time) until Thursday 09 April 2020 at 23:59 (UAE local time) as part of the precautionary measures being implemented in response to Covid-19, said Flydubai.
If you were booked to travel on a Flydubai flight that has been cancelled, go to the “Manage Booking” tab on flydubai.com where you will be able to rebook or request a refund to flydubai voucher.
If you require further assistance, you can call the flydubai Contact Centre on (+971) 600 54 44 45, send an email to letstalk@flydubai.com with “Change my booking” in the subject line or send a private message on Facebook.
If you made your booking through a Travel Agent or Travel Partner, contact them directly regarding your refund and rebooking options.
Private sector urged to implement remote working
In a video message to the private sector, Hamad Buamim, President and CEO, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called on Dubai’s business community to cooperate with the relevant government authorities in implementing preventive and precautionary measures to counter the spread of Covid-19.
He urged the private sector to ensure the safety and health of its employees by asking them to stay at home and work remotely.
Buamim announced the launch of the campaign, “Be Safe. Work Smart”, in light of the UAE Government’s appeal to its citizens and residents to stay at home to help fight the spread of Covid-19 and the launch of the #stayhome movement.
Dubai Chamber has already implemented a remote work plan, in coordination with relevant authorities. The regularity of daily operations and services has been taken into account, anticipating any difficulties that may affect the functioning of business operations. Employees have been provided with the latest technologies, and solutions to all barriers have been identified, in order to maintain business continuity.
The smart services provided by the chamber include certificates of origin, attestations, membership services, studies, research and reports, business and legal services, issuance of ATA Carnet, Dubai Chamber’s CSR Label, and Business Groups and Councils groups services, in addition to the services available to economic and professional bodies.
The smart services provided by Dubai Chamber when it comes to membership include the issuance, renewal and amendment of membership. For ATA Carnet, members can access services concerning issuance, renewal as well as replacement.
The chamber’s smart legal service provides legal representation and information, while members can get ratification of signatures, copies and stamps through the smart attestation services.
Business Groups and Councils can benefit from the authorisation and renewal of permits, while those looking for information and business intelligence on various parameters can access case studies and research reports.
Abu Dhabi Media suspends print publications
Abu Dhabi Media announced that it will temporarily suspend its print publications and instead issue digital versions, in line with the decision of the National Media Council, NMC, to halt the circulation of newspapers and print magazines from 24th March, 2020, until further notice, with the exception of publications for subscribers and major sale outlets in shopping centres.
This move is also under the framework of the preventive measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, Covid-19.
The decision includes the temporary suspension of all Abu Dhabi Media publications, including Arabic daily Al Ittihad newspaper, Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine, Majid magazine, and National Geographic Al Arabiya magazine. Instead, Abu Dhabi Media said its publications will be available on its digital platforms on Android TV, Apple TV, Apple Store, and Google Play and other social media accounts.
Abu Dhabi Media highlighted the strength of its technical and administrative system and its full readiness to perform its national role and achieve its media objectives, in line with the progress of its new strategy to interact with the public through digital platforms.
RAK bans circulation of paper marketing materials
The Department of Economic Development in Ras Al Khaimah has temporary banned circulation of paper marketing materials from all businesses with immediate effective until further notice.
The decision is part of the preventive measures being taken to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Covid-19, and to ensure the health and safety of the community. “It is also in line with a decision issued by the National Media Council,” according to an announcement of the Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office.
Inspections will be carried out to ensure compliance and legal action will be taken against violators, it added.
Easa Saleh Al Gurg group pledges Dh13 million
Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (Esag) has announced a multi-million-dirham package to support the UAE Government initiatives and efforts amidst the ongoing social and economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In support of the UAE Government initiatives and to help the community, Esag will contribute Dh10 million to Dubai Health Authority for medical supplies, while the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation will provide a further Dh3 million to Dubai Education Zone, an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Education, to facilitate enhanced e-learning and education.
Dr. Raja Al Gurg, Managing Director of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, said: “In these extraordinary times, we pledge our full support to the government of the UAE, which has already demonstrated inspirational leadership in acting swiftly to safeguard our community. In order to overcome these challenging times, it’s important that we come together as a community from individuals to corporations and government entities — to support one another, and to help those hit hardest by the impact of this pandemic. We want to do our part and today, Esag has pledged a multi-faceted contribution to aid the far-reaching efforts of our Government.”
Esag’s Real Estate division’s rental payment policy for this period will assist all commercial and residential tenants. It has been decided that rental payments are to be deferred by 90 days without any fees in order to ease tenant cash flow
Kuwait confirms two new cases, nine recoveries
KUWAIT: Kuwait confirmed two new coronavirus cases during the past 24 hours, the Kuwait News Agnecy quoted the Health Ministry as saying on Tuesday.
During a press conference, the ministry’s spokesperson Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad said that the two cases are related to two residents – a Philippines and an Indian national – who were in contact with patients that arrived from the UK, bringing the number of infections in the country to 191 cases.
The spokesman revealed that out of the 191 cases, 39 of them have recovered and 152 are still receiving treatment.
Kuwait also announced the recovery of nine people who were infected with coronavirus.
Minister of Health Dr. Bassel Al Sabah, in a statement to Kuna, said eight males and a female – all Kuwaiti citizens – recovered from the virus.
The latest recoveries have increased the total number of recovered Covid-19 patients to 39, Al Sabah noted.
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