UAE entry ban on visa holders extended by two more weeks
The UAE extended on Thursday the suspension of entry to all valid visa holders who are outside the country for two additional weeks.
The statement added that the two-week period, which starts on Thursday, could be renewed according to updates on the coronavirus pandemic, and that this comes as a precautionary measure.
The UAE Ministry of Education ( MOE) has banned until further notice all forms of remedial tutoring offered to students at private entities, residences, and educational institutions. Remote learning offered to students is exempted from this rule.
Later during the day, the UAE Ministry of Health announced 210 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 1,024. The new cases identified are in a stable condition and receiving treatment.
The Ministry of Health also announced that 35 cases fully recovered from the virus, after receiving treatment, bringing the total recovered cases to 96.
The Ministry of Education said the decision was taken as part of preventative and precautionary measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, with the aim of protecting the health of students and the general public.
The ministry stressed that the education sector is a priority receiving immense support from the UAE leadership, which is concertedly following up on educational developments and the future of pupils in the country.
Saudi Arabia imposed a 24-hour curfew in the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah on Thursday, the interior ministry said, extending measures taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,885 people and killed 21.
“Full 24-hour curfew in Makkah and Madinah starting from today until further notice,” the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The cities were earlier under a 15-hour daily curfew.
The Saudi interior ministry stipulated exceptions, including for essential workers and to allow residents to buy food and access medical care. Cars may only carry one passenger.
Emirates Airlines has received approval from UAE authorities to operate a number of outbound passenger flights starting April 6 to repatriate visitors and residents who wish to return to their home countries, the company’s chairman said in a tweet on Thursday.
Sharjah Charity International (SCI) have provided financial and in-kind support worth Dhs7.5 million to the families affected by the current situation, of which, Dhs2 million to the “Fund of the United Arab Emirates: Homeland of Humanity” to support its initiatives.
Dubai Economy has issued fines to nine pharmacies and two pharmaceuticals suppliers for inflating the prices of face masks and trying to take undue advantage of the high demand for hygiene essentials following the nationwide alert against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global coronavirus infections crossed one million on Thursday, with over 50,000 deaths as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the United States and Europe, according to an AFP tally.
A total of 51,364 deaths have been recorded across the world, including 37,709 in Europe, with Italy registering 13,915, followed by Spain with 10,003, France with 5,387 and the United States with 5,316.
A staggering 10 million US workers have lost their jobs in the second half of March as the coronavirus forced stores and businesses nationwide to close their doors.
Another 6.65 million US workers filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week, the most ever recorded, the Labor Department reported on Thursday.
World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there had been a “near exponential growth” in new cases and that the number of infected would hit a million within days.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate 17 special flights between April 4 and 11 to bring back around 2,000 overseas Pakistanis from different countries.
British Airways said on Thursday it has struck a deal with its unions to suspend more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff in one of the airline industry’s most dramatic moves yet to survive the coronavirus pandemic.
210 new cases in UAE; no private classes at home; Makkah, Madinah under 24-hour curfew; Emirates to operate flights from April 6; Sharjah charity’s Dhs7.5m for affectees; global virus cases top 1m, over 50,000 deaths; PIA to bring back Pakistani expats.