Coronavirus: UAE reports 189 new cases

Another 287 people recovered over a 24-hour period

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 189 new coronavirus cases and 287 recoveries on Monday.

Officials said one person died in the previous 24 hours from complications related to the virus.

The country has now recorded 736,897 cases, 729,835 recoveries and 2,103 deaths since the first Covid-19 case was detected in the Emirates on January 29 last year.

Widespread testing, stringent safety measures and a high vaccination rate have been credited with bringing down daily infections.

Daily case tallies have now dropped to below 200 since reaching close to 4,000 a day in January. There are currently fewer than 5,000 active cases in the country.

An additional 261,502 tests were conducted during the previous 24 hours, bringing to 85,147,148 the total number carried out since the beginning of the outbreak.

Elsewhere, a senior figure in aviation said passengers would have to get used to wearing face masks on flights for at least another two years.

Zack Zainal Abidin, senior vice president of Emirates Group Security, made the comments on the sidelines of an aviation security conference in Dubai on Sunday.

“Covid is here to stay and it won’t change until it’s regarded as endemic rather than a pandemic,” he said

"It used to be the case that the flu was regarded as a dangerous disease until it became part and parcel of life.

“It’s going to take some time before Covid-19 reaches that stage.”

Mr Abidin said international travellers should not expect to go mask-free on flights anytime soon.

"It's going to be a while before the status of Covid-19 changes and there's going to be at least two more years of people wearing masks," he said.