Extraordinary efforts by UAE to check virus

The UAE has been taking extraordinary efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic by implementing precautionary measures as per the highest international standards.

The primary goal has been to safeguard the health and safety of citizens and residents.

Several helpful decisions have been taken to help residents and businesses.

UAE’s announcement that all visas, entry permits and Emirates identity cards will remain valid until the end of 2020 while the country battles the coronavirus will surely come as a great relief for affected people.

As per Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, of the Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship, the expatriate residency, whether they are inside or outside the country, will be considered valid until the end of December of this year, when its expiry date occurred after the 1st of March 2020.

Efforts are on to support all segments of society.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday launched the National Home Testing Programme for People of determination, for UAE citizens and residents, to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities.

The programme supports and complements the efforts of the drive-through testing facility for COVID-19 and accredited testing centres nationwide.

The home testing programme targets people of determination who are unable to easily reach the testing centres, especially those who are unable to move normally or who are unable to express or have difficulty communicating with others.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed directed that a timetable be made, count cases in coordination with the concerned ministries, and start the coronavirus swab measures to complete the programme in 30 days.

This step aims to facilitate preventive measures and access to all members of society, including People of determination, as they are the focus of this first of its kind programme in the world.

It is also part of the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure the rights of the targeted segment, provide them with all services within the limits of their capabilities, and ensure a safe, healthy and decent living for them.

On the business front, the UAE Ministry of Economy has announced the reduction of fees associated to as many as 94 services provided to individuals, companies, and the business sector.  Fee reductions span a range of services, particularly those related to innovation, business activities, investment, production, trade, import and export activities.

Such services include commercial registration services, commercial agencies, trademarks, origin, auditors and intellectual properties.

The ministry has made it clear that the reduction rates applied to these services reach up to 98 per cent.

The financial impact on the business sector as a result of this reduction is estimated to be valued at Dhs113 million in 2020.

The UAE also remains steadfast in its commitment to cooperating with other countries to bolster global efforts to curb the virus’ spread.

A United Arab Emirates aid plane carrying approximately 33 metric tonnes of medical supplies has been dispatched to Ethiopia to assist approximately 33,000 healthcare professionals.

The aid plane transported 15 metric tonnes of aid provided by the UAE to Ethiopia, as well as 3 metric tonnes provided by the UAE to the African Union and 15 metric tons of aid provided by the World Health Organization, WHO, to help Ethiopia and other African countries combat the COVID-19 pandemic.