UAE reports 124 new Covid-19 cases

Another 182 people recovered from the virus in latest 24-hour reporting period

The UAE continues to distribute vaccines at a rapid pace. AFP

Dubai residents waiting to receive their first dose of Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine in Jebel Ali. Pawan Singh / The National

The Emirates Group launched a Covid-19 vaccination programme for staff in the UAE in January. Photo: The Emirates Group

Khalifa bin Dary, executive director of Dubai Ambulance Services Corporation, receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Abdullah Al Falasi, director general of Dubai Government Human Resources Department, receives his first dose. Photo: Dubai Media Office

A billboard on Sheikh Zayed Road thanks volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trials being conducted in the UAE. Antonie Robertson / The National

A woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Zabeel Health Centre. EPA

The UAE recorded 124 new Covid-19 infections on Monday as daily figures remained below 150 for the fifth day in a row.

The daily caseload brought the country's overall tally to 737,890.

Another 182 people beat the virus as the recovery total climbed to 731,295.

One person died after contracting the virus, raising the death toll to 2,114.

The latest cases were detected as a result of a further 276,637 PCR tests.

More than 87 million tests have been conducted to date.

A mass screening strategy, allied with a nationwide vaccination campaign, has been credited with driving down infection rates.

The UAE averaged close to 4,000 cases a day in February, but infections have been steadily declining in recent months.

Meanwhile, the UK has again relaxed its travel rules — after lifting quarantine measures for many vaccinated visitors on October 4.

The latest changes, which came into effect at 4am on Monday, reduce the red list from 54 to just seven nations and winter sun destinations such as Mexico and South Africa are back on the cards for travellers.

Double-jabbed people from dozens of countries across the globe — including the UAE — can now enter the UK without having to quarantine in a hotel, or self-isolate upon arrival.

Four vaccines — AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen — are being accepted and people must have received their second dose at least 14 days before travel.