Coronavirus: UAE reports 812 new cases and three deaths

Government warns residents of 'legal obligation' to celebrate Eid at home

A medical worker puts away a Covid-19 swab test at one of the Mussaffah testing facilities. Victor Besa / The National

An Abu Dhabi resident goes for a jog along the Corniche in the capital as the government eases movement restrictions. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi residents wear mandatory masks as they walk in the city. Victor Besa / The National

Safety instructions are on display outside Al Awir fruit and vegetable market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A person wearing protective face mask and covering his face with laptop bag on a hot day in Bur Dubai area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Indian citizens queue to check in at the Dubai International Airport before leaving the UAE on a flight back to their home country on May 7. Inbound flights for UAE residents have also begun operating from select cities. Karim Sahim / AFP 

Passengers from an Emirates flight from London queue before being checked by health workers at Dubai International Airport on May 8. Karim Sahib / AFP

Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public but with safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff from contracting Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi has reopened to the public from 12pm to 9pm. Measures remain in place to keep shoppers and staff safe. Victor Besa / The National

Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi will be open from midday to 9pm. Supermarkets and pharmacies will be open from 9am to midnight. Victor Besa / The National

Workers pass by Al Mina vegetables and fruits market in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A security guard is given a free Covid-19 test at one of the Mussaffah testing centres. Victor Besa / The National

Workers line up to receive a coronavirus test at the Mussaffah industrial area in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Latest update: UAE confirms 781 new cases taking total to 29,485

The UAE announced 812 new cases of coronavirus, which took the country’s total to 28,704.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention reported a further three deaths and 697 recoveries.

The number of Covid-19 patients who have recovered from the disease has now risen to 14,495 and deaths have reached 244. The authorities said the new cases were discovered from 39,000 tests, taking the total number of Covid-19 screenings to more than 1.5 million.

The announcement came on the night before the first day of Eid Al Fitr, which the authorities said should be spent at home to avoid spreading the virus.

“Consider the medical precautions, instructions and the fatwa given by the UAE Fatwa Council that prayers should be performed only at home. This is not only a safety measure but a legal obligation and a national commitment,” the ministry said.

The government has called on people to avoid family gatherings and urged people to use phone calls or video conference applications instead.

“Throughout this Eid holiday, let us maintain social distancing and communicate through virtual apps only,” it said.

People with mild cases of Covid-19 or who are asymptomatic must remain in home quarantine.

Similar home isolation measures are mandated for people who have come into contact with someone who went on to test positive for the virus.

Both sets of people would be fined Dh50,000 if they break home quarantine regulations, the ministry warned.

It said testing centres would give patients electronic wristbands to wear and patients must download the Al Hosn app, which the authorities said is critical for effective contact tracing and will help control the spread of the virus.

The wristband can be removed after the wearer tests negative for the virus twice consecutively. People who have tested positive and do not comply with the rules will be fined Dh10,000.

People with low immunity levels and chronic health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and heart problems, were also asked not to visit public spaces to lower their risk of contracting the virus.

Residents have been instructed to wear masks when exercising near their homes. Exercise can be performed outside for a maximum of two hours with no more than three people in a group.

Officials also reminded residents to be careful when they returned home to keep their family safe.

The ministry cautioned people to remove footwear before entering their residence since bacteria could be transported indoors.

How to use Al Hosn app