COVID-19: There is no scope for complacency

The Abu Dhabi Police have rightly warned the public against complacency in taking key preventive and precautionary measures to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

The move is in accordance with Resolution No. 38 of 2020, which covers the implementation of regulations related to violations and penalties based on Ministerial Resolution No. 17 of 2020, related to controlling violations, precautionary measures and instructions to limit the spread of the virus.

Violations will not be tolerated and rightly so. The police have stressed that violators would be referred to the Federal Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Prosecution to take legal actions against those who are not committed to precautionary measures against COVID-19.

Each and every individual needs to play part in fighting the dangerous pandemic. The issue is too serious to be taken lightly by anyone.

More than 17.05 million people have been reported to be infected by the new coronavirus globally and 666,411 have died, according to a Reuters tally published on Thursday.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were detected in China in December 2019.

The UAE has been taking major efforts to support the preventive and precautionary measures that contain the spread of the COVID-19, aiming to ensure the health and safety of all citizens and residents.

In line with the directives of Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah Executive Council has also issued a decision to extend the period of suspension of all social events, celebrations held in wedding halls, event halls, hotels, and government and community facilities until the end of August, as part of precautionary measures to prevent coronavirus.

The provisions of the decision will be implemented as of August 1, 2020, to be effective until the end of August 2020, extendable if needed.

As the most active provider of foreign COVID-19 assistance in the world, the UAE has ensured that the geographical breadth of its aid knows no filters of race or religion, providing assistance in times of need to 70 countries, including China, Italy, the United Kingdom, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Yemen, and Afghanistan, among others.

As Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, aptly stated earlier: “Despite the successes that have been made, the current situation is beset with challenges; as the novel coronavirus is evidently capable of spreading, which means that the failure to ensure physical distancing and adhering to other precautionary measures, especially in public areas, may result in negative consequences for individuals and wider society.”

We are in a critical period that requires enhanced awareness and increased cooperation from all community members.

A mistake by one person can affect not only him or her but the entire society. Shirking of responsibility even by a single individual could prove expensive.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, has been doing a commendable job conducting thousands of COVID-19 tests using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

The Ministry has stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

It is important on the part of the public to adhere to social distancing and avoid family gatherings to help limit the spread of the pandemic. All safety measures should be adhered to during Eid Al Adha holidays.