Coronavirus: UAE reports 256 new cases and zero deaths

Abu Dhabi residents take the underpass in front of Al Wahda Mall. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has advised people to wear a mask when outside, whether they are showing symptoms of Covid-19 or not. Victor Besa / The National

People follow the mask-wearing advice. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident orders tea near Al Wahda Mall. The public is following government advice to help keep infections down. Victor Besa / The National

Masked residents protect themselves and others as they take the underpass at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National

Face masks are available at a tailoring shop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Face masks are worn crossing the road. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE has had a successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Victor Besa / The National

Staff members of INAYA, the facilities management company, wearing protective face masks in International City in Dubai. Only two entrances are open for vehicles coming from Al Awir road before the Dragon Mart 1 and Manama Street to International City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

People wearing face masks in International City, Dubai. The UAE government has also advised residents to wear gloves all the times outdoors. Pawan Singh / The National

More people in the streets in Satwa. Antonie Robertson / The National

Sunset at the Corniche. Public beaches around Abu Dhabi are reopening gradually as Covid-19 restrictions ease. Victor Besa / The National

Although Covid-19 restrictions are being eased, many safety measures remain in place. Victor Besa / The National

The UAE reported 256 new coronavirus cases and 331 recoveries on Saturday.

Officials said no deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.

The country has recorded 736,524 cases since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the Emirates on January 29 last year, as well as 729,242 recoveries.

Over the past 18 months, 2,100 patients have succumbed to the virus across all seven emirates.

Widespread testing and tracing, stringent safety measures and a high vaccination rate have brought down daily infections over the past few months.

Daily case tallies have dropped to below 300 recently from a high of about 4,000 a day in January.

An additional 305,131 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to more than 84 million since the outbreak began.

On Saturday, officials in California announced it would become the first US state to mandate statewide Covid-19 vaccinations for schoolchildren, as a Reuters tally showed the country topping 700,000 coronavirus deaths.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said the state already requires pupils to be vaccinated against viruses that cause measles, mumps and rubella.

"There’s no reason why we wouldn’t do the same for Covid-19," he said.