UAE shines bright in anti-virus steps

Desperate times call for desperate measures, it is said. But some people — and countries — stand like a rock in the face of adversity or crisis, displaying amazing resilience. They show that they can tackle any challenge head-on, thanks to an indomitable spirit that is quite rare.

 The United Arab Emirates’ handling of the coronavirus and the steps launched on a war footing have been extremely impressive.

It ranked first in the Middle East, and the tenth in the world, in the safety from the COVID-19, according to an updated list issued by the non-profit “Deep Knowledge” group, concerned with healthcare and artificial intelligence.

The UAE surpassed developed countries, such as Singapore, Canada, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  This assessment is based on six top-level categories (Quarantine Efficiency, Government Efficiency of Risk Management, Monitoring and Detection, Health Readiness, Regional Resilience and Emergency Preparedness).

The UAE has achieved 125 points in the quarantine efficiency, 162.64 in the government efficiency of risk management, 142.35 monitoring and detection of COVID-19 cases, 72.32 in the health readiness, 99.87 in the country vulnerability of regional crisis and 121.25 in the emergency preparedness with a total score of 723.35.

The report said that the United Arab Emirates witnessed a decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases by 17 per cent during the period from June 1 to August 16, compared to March 17 to June 1.

The UAE now occupies a leading position in the region in terms of dealing with “COVID-19”, thanks to the country’s adoption of an excellent mechanism to monitor and detect new cases, with a high readiness to deal with health emergencies, and government efficiency and speed of response to developments.

Germany ranked the safest country from coronavirus, followed by New Zealand in second place, then South Korea in third, Switzerland in the fourth, and Japan in fifth place, according to the report. Deep Knowledge Group assessed countries and regions globally based on 130 parameters and 11,400 data points to determine safety and risk level during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 These COVID-19 safety global assessments attracted significant interest from TV channels, top tier digital magazines and governments of the countries and was widespread through social media channels and press.

All this proves that the UAE has been going all out to take extraordinary efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus by implementing precautionary measures in line with the highest international standards. Several helpful decisions have been taken to help residents and businesses.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, launched the National Home Testing Programme for People of Determination, for UAE citizens and residents, to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities.

The programme supports and complements the efforts of the drive-through testing facility for COVID-19 and accredited testing centres nationwide. Arrangements have also been made for people of determination, who are unable to easily reach the testing centres, to undergo home testing. This applies especially those who are unable to move normally or who are unable to express or have difficulty communicating with others.

On the business front, the UAE Ministry of Economy has announced the reduction of fees associated with as many as 94 services provided to individuals, companies, and the business sector.  Fee reductions span a range of services, particularly those related to innovation, business activities, investment, production, trade, import and export activities.

The UAE also remains steadfast in its commitment to cooperating with other countries to bolster global efforts to curb the virus’ spread. Its international position flows from its much-cherished belief that the world is like a family where one member should take care of the other.