Workforce returns to government and private offices
Thousands of Dubai government workers were set to return to their offices today, with many private sector businesses expected to follow suit.
Half of the public sector workforce will be back in the workplace for the next two weeks, after which 100 per cent will return.
Many private sector companies have chosen today to increase office staffing levels after more than 10 weeks of working from home. As of last week, they are allowed to have 50 per cent of the workforce in the office, up from 30 per cent.
Yesterday, the UAE’s Ministry of Health confirmed 726 new cases taking the total to 33,896. There were two further deaths taking the toll to 262.
And 447 patients recovered, taking the total to 17,546. Over the weekend, residents flocked to Dubai’s public beaches, despite high temperatures. Many cafes and restaurants opened up and many hotels ramped up staycation offers.
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia altered restrictions on gatherings and workplaces to allow larger meet-ups, but instituted heavy fines of up to 10,000 riyals for rule-breakers.
All areas of Saudi Arabia except Makkah have begun a three-stage lifting of the nationwide stay-at-home order imposed in late March.
Up to 50 people will be allowed to attend gatherings in homes, farms, or at social events such as mourning and parties, the Ministry of the Interior said. Earlier this month, the kingdom banned gatherings of more than five people.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health confirmed 1,618 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, taking the country’s total number of cases to 83,384. A further 1,870 people have recovered, taking the total number of recoveries to 58,883.
The kingdom’s death toll has reached 480, after 22 new deaths were recorded.
Thousands of people flocked to Dubai beaches this weekend, as the emirate eased restrictions that were imposed to combat the Covid-19 outbreak.
Beaches including JBR, Al Mamzar, Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim re-opened on Friday, drawing crowds of jet skiers, kite surfers and sunbathers.
“I’m an island girl from Mauritius and my boyfriend is from Goa, so we didn’t have any other choice,” said Diya Khuruj, 38, who rested in a lounger on the periphery of Jumeirah Beach. “It’s good to feel nice.”
She said she had spent most of the past two months on unpaid leave, watching films on TV and cooking. The beach visit was a return to normality.
“For one month, it was a holiday,” she said. “From the second month, I felt excited to go back to work.”
People of all ages were allowed at the beach but were not allowed to gather in groups of more than five people and had to wear a face mask if they were not in the water.
A high level of trust in the government gave people the confidence to go out and meet friends for the first time in months.
This was the case for Manal Al Ahdab and Niha Tadros, who sunbathed at the edge of Jumeirah Beach.
“It feels great, liberating and a bit normal,” said Ms Al Ahdab.
Before restrictions were eased she spent her time gardening, reading psychology articles and history books and working online.
When she heard beaches were to reopen, her decision to visit was immediate.
But while she stayed isolated on the beach, the water was crowded when it came time to cool off.
Alex Milivokevic and his wife Angelica dined with friends under a tented shelter at a beachside restaurant as their daughter played nearby.
Their visit was a relief for Enis, 6, who has spent weeks riding a bike in circles in a car park and running at home.
For Mr Milivokevic, the family trip to the beach was a relief but he said his main concern was his daughter’s education.
“It’s not about her learning maths or writing, we’re worried about her general learning,” he said.
“School should take the priority. If school doesn’t open until September, I know a lot of people who will move their families.”
By early evening, runners and bodybuilders crowded the boardwalk.
Some followed the rules about covering their nose and mouth, but many people wore masks on their chin.
They were joined by Hatem Mukattash, a Jordanian singer who tested negative for coronavirus that morning.
He said he was tested regularly to make sure his elderly parents and infant child were safe.
“We got to a stage now where if the government tells me to go out now, I will go out. Life should go on,” he said.
Tables at most beach restaurants were empty, despite businesses being allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity.
Restaurants said more than 90 per cent of the orders they received were for takeaways.
“For restaurants, people are scared up to now,” said waiter Marwan Raham. “I think that will change.”