UAE’s admirable control of the coronavirus

The UAE’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic is nothing short of impressive, to say the least. And this is all thanks to the backing of the leadership, efficiency and competitiveness of the UAE health system, and the rapid process of registering approved vaccines.

The media and the awareness campaigns launched by various institutions have also greatly helped in keeping the casualty figures low.

The booster shot of the Sinopharm vaccine six months after being administered the second dose is, as far as the spirits of the residents go, just that: a morale-boosting shot.

Over 70 per cent of all eligible groups aged 16 and over had been inoculated, with this number amounting to 80.33 per cent for the over-sixties.

More than 11.5 million vaccine doses have been administered to date at a rate of 117.23 per 100 people, the official spokesperson of the UAE health sector noted, adding that a policy to take an additional booster dose of the same vaccine six months after the second dose has been approved, and the UAE has administered over 47 million coronavirus tests.

The UAE’s vaccination drive is not only limited to its shores, but also other countries. This includes also vaccinating thousands of refugees in Jordan and Iraq through the Emirates Red Crescent.

It is truly praiseworthy that the rates of hospitalisation and use of ventilators have been kept low. As part of its health drive, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has approved the urgent use of the Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine for the 12-15 age group, in line with the vaccination campaign.

Vaccinating children, despite their low infection rate, is highly important amidst the gradual resumption of school classes next year, and parents should not be alarmed, as vaccination will help everyone feel safe and protect the health and safety of children.

It is important as children go back to schools. It will reduce burden on parents who have children learning online.

This is in sharp contrast to countries such as India, where oxygen supplies are in terribly short supply and less than five per cent of the population have been vaccinated. The death toll has reached a quarter of a million.

While keeping the pandemic on a leash, the UAE has unlocked the gates to entertainment and activities in restaurants, cafes and shopping malls for a trial period of a month (extendable) starting May 17 on the condition that the latest precautionary measures are observed and performers and entertainers have taken the COVID-19 vaccine.

The lid has also been lifted on community sports events, concerts and social and institutional events like gala dinners and award ceremonies for a trial period of one month (extendable) starting from 17th May.

Fans and spectators will also be able to attend sports events provided all attendees, participants and staff have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The attendance capacity for these permitted events should not exceed 70 per cent. The maximum attendance allowed for such events that receive permits after the updated precautionary measures come into effect on May 17, is 1,500 for indoor events and 2,500 for outdoor events.

Wedding events are allowed to be held with the maximum attendance capped at 100 for wedding venues/hotels.

The maximum number of people allowed to sit on a single table at restaurants has been increased to 10. Coffee shops can have a maximum of six people per table. Restaurants are allowed to resume brunches with strict observance of updated precautionary measures outlined by authorities.

Needless to say, violators will face stiff penalties.

It is good to see that the UAE is relaxing curbs, in an apparent bid to test the waters of a return to normalcy. One only hopes the virus is kept under control, so that any move towards a lockdown is locked down – for ever.