UAE records 2,545 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths

Another 1,320 people recovered from virus in latest 24-hour reporting period

The Third Place Cafe on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi has a sticker to remind customers of Covid-19 precautions. Victor Besa / The National

An 'X' reminds people of the need for physical distancing at the Third Place Cafe. Victor Besa / The National

The Third Place Cafe in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Sanitation workers at Haddins Fitness, Zayed Sports City. Victor Besa / The National

Places of worship, such as Shiva temple in Dubai, have been subject to restrictions during the pandemic. Reem Mohammed / The National

Fitness buff Natalie Navikova exercises at Cobra Fitness Abu Dhabi at Al Bandar. Victor Besa / The National

CrossFit class at Vogue Fitness Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A worshipper at Shiva temple in Dubai follows safety precautions. Reem Mohammed / The National

The floor of the main prayer hall at the Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai, is covered with plastic sheets to help tackle the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National

Safe distance marking stickers placed on the floor at Gurunanak Darbar in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Hotel beaches are now open to guests at the Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche after Covid-19 restrictions eased. Victor Besa / The National

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai has safety measures in place to help protect worshippers. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Shiva temple in Dubai put safety measures in place to protect worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National

Covid-19 safety measures are put in place at Mahamevnawa Buddhist Temple in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Residents wear face masks as they walk in Abu Dhabi city centre. Victor Besa / The National

People walk along near the Ramada Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

A visitor wears a protective face mask at Al Shindagha Museum in Dubai. EPA

A man on his e-scooter travels along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi as the sun sets. Victor Besa / The National

People wear face masks in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE confirmed 2,545 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking its overall tally to 838,384.

Two patients died after contracting the virus, raising the toll to 2,234.

Another 1,320 people beat the virus as the recovery total climbed to 774,043.

The number of active cases stands at 62,107.

The latest cases were detected as a result of a further 490,562 PCR tests.

More than 123 million tests have been carried out to date under a comprehensive screening campaign.

Testing rates have intensified this month, exceeding the half-million mark on six of the past 10 days.

Many employees require regular PCR tests to enter places of work, while a negative result is also needed to enter Abu Dhabi from other emirates.

Pupils across the country must also take the swab before returning to classrooms as part of a phased back-to-school plan.

Pupils in government-run schools nationwide began to return to in-person lessons on Monday, with the remaining age groups resuming face-to-face education on Monday, January 31.

Private schools in Abu Dhabi also begin a staggered return to in-person lessons from January 24.