COVID-19
Fewer opportunities to mingle and more in Olympic Village
Tokyo Olympic organisers plan to give away about 150,000 condoms at next month's Games, but are telling athletes to take them home rather than use them in the Olympic village where social distancing rules and coronavirus measures are the top priority.
Things that people should NOT forget about COVID
The second wave of COVID-19 took a massive toll on all of us. Not only did it highlight the poor state of our country's medical infrastructure, but it also called attention to the negligent behaviour of its people, which claimed the lives of many. Now that the number of COVID cases are slowly declining and matters are beginning to stabilize, it is important that we do not stray away from the learnings of the past and continue practicing COVID appropriate behaviour.
Want to pay tribute to COVID warriors by winning medal in Tokyo: Manpreet Singh
Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh says they will leave no stone unturned to end their four decade-long medal drought at the Tokyo Olympics and has vowed to dedicate the achievement to the country's COVID warriors.
Abu Dhabi public spaces all set to implement Al Hosn Green Pass on Tuesday
UAE|: Abu Dhabi: Preparations are in full swing across public venues in Abu Dhabi ahead of the roll-out of the Al Hosn Green Pass system on Tuesday, June 15. Malls have already put out announcements on their social media platforms, and gates and scanning portals have been noted by residents at a number of facilities and attractions. The Green Pass system, approved last week by the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), is the latest initiative to make public spaces safer amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee approved the usage of the app last Wednesday (June 9) to ensure safe entry and contact tracing at 11 types of venues and attractions: shopping malls, large supermarkets, gyms, hotels, hotel facilities, public parks, beaches, swimming pools, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafés. The system assigns one of three colours to users: red, green or grey, depending on the user’s COVID-19 status. A red colour status indicates that the user has tested positive for COVID-19. A green status indicates that the user is free from COVID-19, but the colour reverts to grey after the latest PCR test becomes invalid. The validity of a PCR test, and therefore how long the Green Pass is available for a user, depends on the user’s vaccination status. Mall implementation “Lulu Group has been very actively adhering to all COVID-19 measures and we shall continue doing so for the safety of everyone. Starting June 15, all our malls and hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi will implement the “Entry for Green Pass Only” initiative, and shoppers will have to show their Al Hosn App for verification at the entry points. We have trained our security team for quick and effective verification of the Green Pass so as to avoid unnecessary delays or inconvenience to shoppers. We are also planning to tie-up with certain health care providers to facilitate free PCR Test in our mall premises for our shoppers,” V Nandakumar, director of marketing and communications at Lulu Group, told Gulf News. The group runs 12 malls and 54 hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi emirate. “As part of MoHAP’s proactive strategy to combat the pandemic, starting June 15, the mall can only be accessed with the Green Pass on the Al Hosn app. Please cooperate and help us comply with this Government rule in the interest of public health and safety,” Yas Mall announced on its Instagram platform. “Following the additional preventive measures issued by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, all visitors aged 16 and above will be required to present their Green Pass on Al Hosn app to access Abu Dhabi Mall, starting Tuesday, June 15,” Abu Dhabi Mall announced. Tourist attractions Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s premier tourist destinations will also begin implementing the Green Pass system. Farah Experiences, which operates a number of Yas Island attractions and Qasr Al Watan, said it will also require visitors aged 16 years or more to present a Green Pass. “As of June 15, 2021, Yas Theme Parks — which includes Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi — as well as CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan will require all guests aged 16 years and above to provide proof of a ‘Green Pass’ on the Al Hosn UAE application,” it said. Cafés and restaurants The system is also coming into effect across many restaurants, cafés and meeting venues. “In light of the latest announcement mandated by The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, MBT Restaurant Management has considered the new protocols and will be implementing them across all its outlets. Entry will not be allowed for guests that are not vaccinated. They must also present a Green Pass on the Al Hosn app that has been valid for no longer than three days. These precautionary measures will ensure that all our guests and staff are safe and healthy,” said Danny Kattar, general manager at MBT Restaurant Management, which runs Beirut Sur Mer restaurant in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. The validity of the Green Pass is the longest — 30 days — for a resident who has received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine more than 28 days ago. Otherwise, the pass validity varies from three days to 14 days. Naturally, people who have not been fully vaccinated, and who do not have a vaccine exemption certificate have the shortest Green Pass duration — three days. Many residents have been discussing the new system across online forums, and expressed concerns about queuing to access venues for essential needs. Some others who have not yet been fully vaccinated have said they may resort to more online shopping once the system comes into effect. How often must I test? Category 1: Vaccinated individual who has received the second vaccine dose at least 28 days earlier, or is a volunteer in vaccine trials. The person must test every 30 days to have the Green Pass. To achieve the active icon, which is required for travel into Abu Dhabi Emirate, a PCR test needs to be taken every seven days. Category 2: Vaccinated individual who has received the second vaccine dose less than 28 days ago. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every 14 days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 3: Individual who has received the first vaccine dose, and is waiting for the second dose appointment. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every seven days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 4: Individual who has received the first vaccine dose, but is late for the second dose appointment by 48 days or more. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every three days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 5: Individual with a vaccine exemption certificate. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every seven days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 6: Individual who is not vaccinated, and does not have a vaccine exemption certificate. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every three days to obtain a Green Pass.
Abu Dhabi public spaces all set to implement Al Hosn Green Pass on Tuesday
UAE|: Abu Dhabi: Preparations are in full swing across public venues in Abu Dhabi ahead of the roll-out of the Al Hosn Green Pass system on Tuesday, June 15. Malls have already put out announcements on their social media platforms, and gates and scanning portals have been noted by residents at a number of facilities and attractions. The Green Pass system, approved last week by the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), is the latest initiative to make public spaces safer amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee approved the usage of the app last Wednesday (June 9) to ensure safe entry and contact tracing at 11 types of venues and attractions: shopping malls, large supermarkets, gyms, hotels, hotel facilities, public parks, beaches, swimming pools, entertainment centres, cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafés. The system assigns one of three colours to users: red, green or grey, depending on the user’s COVID-19 status. A red colour status indicates that the user has tested positive for COVID-19. A green status indicates that the user is free from COVID-19, but the colour reverts to grey after the latest PCR test becomes invalid. The validity of a PCR test, and therefore how long the Green Pass is available for a user, depends on the user’s vaccination status. Mall implementation “Lulu Group has been very actively adhering to all COVID-19 measures and we shall continue doing so for the safety of everyone. Starting June 15, all our malls and hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi will implement the “Entry for Green Pass Only” initiative, and shoppers will have to show their Al Hosn App for verification at the entry points. We have trained our security team for quick and effective verification of the Green Pass so as to avoid unnecessary delays or inconvenience to shoppers. We are also planning to tie-up with certain health care providers to facilitate free PCR Test in our mall premises for our shoppers,” V Nandakumar, director of marketing and communications at Lulu Group, told Gulf News. The group runs 12 malls and 54 hypermarkets in Abu Dhabi emirate. “As part of MoHAP’s proactive strategy to combat the pandemic, starting June 15, the mall can only be accessed with the Green Pass on the Al Hosn app. Please cooperate and help us comply with this Government rule in the interest of public health and safety,” Yas Mall announced on its Instagram platform. “Following the additional preventive measures issued by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, all visitors aged 16 and above will be required to present their Green Pass on Al Hosn app to access Abu Dhabi Mall, starting Tuesday, June 15,” Abu Dhabi Mall announced. Tourist attractions Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s premier tourist destinations will also begin implementing the Green Pass system. Farah Experiences, which operates a number of Yas Island attractions and Qasr Al Watan, said it will also require visitors aged 16 years or more to present a Green Pass. “As of June 15, 2021, Yas Theme Parks — which includes Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi — as well as CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Watan will require all guests aged 16 years and above to provide proof of a ‘Green Pass’ on the Al Hosn UAE application,” it said. Cafés and restaurants The system is also coming into effect across many restaurants, cafés and meeting venues. “In light of the latest announcement mandated by The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, MBT Restaurant Management has considered the new protocols and will be implementing them across all its outlets. Entry will not be allowed for guests that are not vaccinated. They must also present a Green Pass on the Al Hosn app that has been valid for no longer than three days. These precautionary measures will ensure that all our guests and staff are safe and healthy,” said Danny Kattar, general manager at MBT Restaurant Management, which runs Beirut Sur Mer restaurant in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island. The validity of the Green Pass is the longest — 30 days — for a resident who has received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine more than 28 days ago. Otherwise, the pass validity varies from three days to 14 days. Naturally, people who have not been fully vaccinated, and who do not have a vaccine exemption certificate have the shortest Green Pass duration — three days. Many residents have been discussing the new system across online forums, and expressed concerns about queuing to access venues for essential needs. Some others who have not yet been fully vaccinated have said they may resort to more online shopping once the system comes into effect. How often must I test? Category 1: Vaccinated individual who has received the second vaccine dose at least 28 days earlier, or is a volunteer in vaccine trials. The person must test every 30 days to have the Green Pass. To achieve the active icon, which is required for travel into Abu Dhabi Emirate, a PCR test needs to be taken every seven days. Category 2: Vaccinated individual who has received the second vaccine dose less than 28 days ago. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every 14 days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 3: Individual who has received the first vaccine dose, and is waiting for the second dose appointment. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every seven days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 4: Individual who has received the first vaccine dose, but is late for the second dose appointment by 48 days or more. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every three days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 5: Individual with a vaccine exemption certificate. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every seven days to obtain a Green Pass. Category 6: Individual who is not vaccinated, and does not have a vaccine exemption certificate. The individual must test negative for COVID-19 every three days to obtain a Green Pass.
Cost of COVID-19 will be showing up in UAE's medical insurance soon: Daman CEO
Markets|: Dubai: Vaccinations are putting a tight leash on the COVID-19 spread – but the legacy of the pandemic will be there on the global insurance industry and the insured for some time. It could mean increased cost of insurance for health insurance in the UAE, according to a top industry figure. “The pandemic has already impacted [policy] installments and is leading to inflated costs on so many fronts,” said Hamad Abdullah Al Mehyas, CEO of Abu Dhabi’s health insurer Daman, which now extends coverage to more than 2.1 million insured. “There are new medicines that cost in the hundreds of thousands – the cost of medical services will go higher. “All of which will show up on the medical inflation rates… and reflect on the instalments (a policyholder has to pay).” Senior insurance industry source echo his views, saying that the true cost of combating COVID-19 will be reflected in the 2021 insurance industry claims. In the UAE, the spiralling costs are still not being felt in full because “All medication for the corona is shouldered by the government,” Al Mehyas added. At least one factor will remain a constant - medical insurance will remain the fastest growing category this year… and for some time to come. Read More After COVID-19, UAE healthcare sector's next challenge is to work on its rates UAE health insurance premiums up 8% in 2020, even higher than inflation gains: Alvarez & Marsal New Gulf markets? Daman, which is marking its 15th year of operations, is keeping a lookout for new market entries, with Kuwait and Bahrain mentioned as where “discussions” are taking place. In the UAE, Daman has moved well beyond its Abu Dhabi mandate – “We are having discussions with strategic partners in Dubai and northern emirates,” the CEO added. “In the past, we have insured the whole of government in Sharjah and had a presence in Dubai.” In Saudi Arabia, it’s already off the mark, with Saudi Enaya. “Any enterprise would want to be in the kingdom given the huge volumes and expected returns,” said Al Mehyas. “There are about 40 companies in this [medical insurance] space, some of them quite specialised. But there are more opportunities that we can bag there.” Systemically vital In terms of employment for UAE nationals, Daman remains one of the key players in Abu dhabi. “When we launched, we had about 200 employees – now, it’s grown 10 times that,” the CEO said. “We have in these years entered different fields, such as management of medical units. We have shifted from relying only on traditional ways to deliver insurance services to extending them virtually. “At all points, we have sustained government partnerships and kept growing the [medical] insurance footprint. We have a clear future vision that will see us go outside the borders of the UAE.” All the while keeping a check on the cost of COVID-19 on insurance…
55,000 units of blood donated in 2021 in Dubai
Health|: Dubai: If healthy people with a good haemoglobin count donate blood once every three months, they not only help save precious lives, but can also help build their own health, said a top Dubai Health Authority official. On the occasion of International World Blood Donor day, Dr Mai Raouf, director of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre told Gulf News, “There is evidence to prove that donating blood regularly has a lot of health benefits. It not only helps stimulate growth of the red blood cells, but also stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells; it reduces the excess iron content in one’s body and protects the heart and brain from strokes.” Dr Raouf was countering many myths and fears that people have about blood donation. Many fear that donating one unit of blood (450ml) periodically can weaken them. “On the contrary, donating blood is a very healthy practice. This year, the slogan given by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the blood donation campaign 2021 is ‘Give Blood keep the world beating’.” 55,000 units of blood collected in 2021 at the Dubai blood donation centre During the COVID-19 pandemic, with millions of people were hospitalised around the world, voluntary blood donations helped hospitals save lives whenever blood was required. In the UAE, residents are regularly encouraged to donate blood voluntarily. In 2020, the blood donation centre collected 55,000 units of blood with 66,000 voluntary donors registering for blood donation. Dr Mai Raouf said every responsible resident must voluntarily donate blood. Image Credit: Supplied Dr Raouf said, “Many of the donors registered their interest through DHA’s app, which has a subsection called DAMMI, filling in all their details and coming to the centre for donations. Many just walked in to donate. Of the 66,000 people who registered, not all were able to donate as we conduct proper tests to see who is eligible and healthy to donate blood. These units collected were life-saving. About 36 per cent went to the Thalassaemia ward at Latifa Hospital, 30 per cent to private hospitals for road traumas, surgeries, and the rest to all DHA hospitals.” Someone is need of blood every minute Dr Raouf said every responsible resident must voluntarily donate blood. “In the UAE, just like anywhere else in the world, every minute there is someone who needs blood, be it a road trauma victim, a burns victim, a surgery patient, cancer patients, those with blood disorders and other genetic conditions. Every drop of blood donated counts. A single unit of blood (450ml) can save at least three lives, as we are able to extract red blood cells, plasma and platelets that can be utilised in three different individuals. Voluntary blood donations from the community are significant and every healthy individual can easily donate one unit of blood several times — men, six times and women, five times in a year.” Register on DHA app to donate blood Dr Raouf added that Dubai residents could easily download the DHA app and select the DAMMI blood donation section. The DHA app is available on Android and iOS platforms free of charge and the DAMMI section provides FAQ’s, criteria for being able to donate blood as well as an option to complete registering online so that it saves time when the person goes to the centre to donate blood. “Once that is done, the individual can come to our centre and donate blood.” “I think it is my duty to donate blood as often as I can” — Antony Thomas Meet Antony Thomas, a senior business development manager at a UAE jewellery group who has donated blood over 30 times since 2006. Thomas, 43, first realised the importance of donating blood when his senior colleague’s wife was taken ill, required blood transfusion and he had to help procure blood. “We were frantic and scrambled around for blood. It was so difficult procuring the right blood group and the units required. That is when I realised how important it was for all of us to make this donation. One unit of blood, once every three months is not much to donate. Yet, it plays such a crucial role in saving lives.” Antony Thomas has donated blood over 30 times since 2006. Image Credit: Supplied The life of the woman was saved; luckily, many people from Thomas’ group came forward to donate blood. “This helped me understand the value of timely volunteer donation of blood. Since then, every year on World Blood Donation day, about 50-60 of my office colleagues go to the blood donation centre donate blood. While I donate once every three months, at least we as a group have made it a regular practice to donate blood annually,” said Thomas.
Last-mile coverage: Govt invites bids for delivery of Covid vaccines by drones
The government has invited bids for delivery of Covid-19 vaccines and drugs to remote areas and those with difficult terrains in select locations of the country by drones to ensure last-mile coverage.
