Coronavirus: UAE repatriates 1,743 people, 25 more trips planned, says ministry
March 31, 2020, 3:32 pm

Coronavirus: UAE repatriates 1,743 people, 25 more trips planned, says ministry

Travellers wear masks as they arrive at the Dubai International Airport. (File photo Reuters)

The UAE has brought 1,743 of its citizens and their companions home from abroad in 39 evacuation trips as international travel becomes increasingly difficult under the coronavirus pandemic, according to a foreign ministry authority via the country’s official Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Tuesday.

The spread of coronavirus, technically known as COVID-19, across the globe has prompted countries including the UAE to temporarily shut their airports and impose travel restrictions. Following the call for citizens to return home on March 17, the UAE has carried out several missions to bring them back. says ministry

According to Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, 39 evacuation trips have been completed, with another 25 planned over the next few days.

Belhoul also said that the foreign ministry was working with other authorities to monitor developments and ensure Emiratis could return to the UAE safely.

The UAE launched on Thursday, March 26 a three-day nationwide disinfection campaign which was later extended till April 5, during which the authorities urged people to stay home from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.

All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and open markets except for fish, vegetables, and meat markets will be closed for two weeks from March 23.

Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery for the two weeks.

The UAE ordered on March 16 all hotels to close their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring camps will also be closed until the end of the month. says ministry

Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme parks, and tourist attractions are also closed until the end of March. levant

source: Tommy Hilton levant

Coronavirus: Emaar halts construction of 77-storey tower in Dubai Coronavirus: UAE reports 53 new cases, one new death

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”