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Updated rules: Dubai ramps up coronavirus restrictions amid rising cases in UAE

Dubai began increasing coronavirus restrictions including updating its travel protocols, limiting the number of people allowed in social gatherings and suspending elective medical procedures, amid signs of a sustained upward trend in the number of new COVID-19 cases in the UAE.
The UAE reported nearly 4,000 cases on Wednesday, the highest single-day new COVID-19 cases ever recorded in the country since the beginning of the pandemic.
The number of daily coronavirus infections in the UAE has been consistently rising since the beginning of January, crossing the 2,000 threshold for the first time on January 6, and the 3,000 mark on January 12.
The country's coronavirus tally currently stands at 289,087 confirmed cases, 263,730 recovered patients and 811 deaths.
Amid the continued rise in COVID-19 infections, Dubai’s authorities tightened restrictions in several sectors.
Travel
The travel and tourism hub updated its COVID-19 travel protocols for inbound passengers effective from January 31.
UAE citizens will be required to do a PCR test only on arrival in Dubai regardless of the country they’re coming from.
UAE residents, GCC citizens and visitors traveling to Dubai will need to do a pre-travel PCR test, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Arrivals from some countries (based on the COVID-19 situation there) may be required to undergo an additional test when landing in Dubai.
Validity period of PCR tests has been reduced from 96 hours to 72 hours.
https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1354493859720531976
Healthcare
Dubai updated coronavirus precautionary measures at private healthcare facilities on Wednesday.
In order to avoid crowds in health facilities, all appointments must be booked in advance.
There should be a minimum interval of 20 minutes between appointments.
Private health facilities have been instructed to close children’s play and entertainment areas so that they can disinfect all amenities in the facility with special attention given to the reception, patient waiting areas, consulting rooms, elevators and door handles.
Elective surgeries have also been suspended until February 19.
The list of elective surgeries includes but is not limited to neurosurgical procedures, fractures and corrective orthopaedic procedures, cardiological and radiological interventions, stone and urological stent removals, and other urgent procedures in general surgery, ophthalmology, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology and other specialties. Elective dental procedures in some clinics have also been suspended.
Lifestyle and entertainment
Dubai instructed gyms to increase physical distancing between sports equipment and trainees from 2 to 3 meters.
https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1354416278195359749
Restaurants and cafes have been instructed to increase distance separating tables from 2 to 3 meters and reducing the number of patrons at one table.
The number of attendees at weddings, social events and private parties has been limited to a maximum of 10 people only.
https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352678447756275714
Dubai put all entertainment permits issued on hold pending evaluation after the authorities shut down at least 20 establishments during the last three weeks for coronavirus violations. It did not specify which activities and/or events were suspended.
https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/1352129917203439616
source: Tuqa Khalid
Image source: Reuters
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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