Coronavirus: UAE records 246 new cases of Covid-19

No further deaths reported while 232 patients recovered, authorities say

Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi reopened in August last year after a five-month closure. Victor Besa / The National

People fish using social distancing precautions by Business Bay Bridge in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National

Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A man buys balloons at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. All shops and malls have safety measures in place to protect shoppers and staff. Victor Besa / The National

Shoppers maintain physical distancing and wear face masks at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National

A shopper looks at face masks at Lulu Hypermarket, Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Volunteers for the Covid-19 vaccine trial wait to be screened at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in August 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A sign reminds people visiting The Pointe shopping centre on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, to wear face masks. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai residents wear face masks during their evening walk in The Gardens. Pawan Singh / The National

Socially distanced maghrib prayers in Al Khair Masjid in Dubai in July 2020. Reem Mohammed / The National

Visitors to Al Wahda Mall wear face masks. Victor Besa / The National

A further 246 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in the UAE on Wednesday.

Officials said the infections were detected from 72,630 tests carried out across the country. It brought the number of cases since the outbreak to 63,212.

At least 232 patients beat the virus, adding to a recovery tally of 57,193.

No patients died on Wednesday, meaning the country's death toll remains at 358.

The UAE has carried out more than 5.7 million Covid-19 tests since January. The percentage of recoveries from overall infections is about 90 per cent.

On Wednesday, authorities announced that special approval for residents who are trying to return to the UAE will no longer be needed.

All UAE residents abroad, who have a valid visa, previously had to apply for approval to return to the country from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship – if they were planning to travel into any emirate except Dubai.

From today, this procedure has been removed and travel will be permitted into the country, provided travellers follow specific procedures.