Coronavirus: UAE records 683 new cases after 47,000 daily tests

Dr Sukhant Bagdia, a pulmonologist whose hospital handled 50 patients at the height of the outbreak, warned against all but essential travel this summer. Chris Whiteoak / The National

General practitioner Dr Sugandhna Malan processes travellers as they rush to get a test 48 hours before they fly. Chris Whiteoak / The National

NMC Royal Hospital in Dubai Investments Park had a dedicated ward for about 50 Covid-19 Dubai at the height of the outbreak. Today it has no virus patients. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dr Nihas Salins, hospital administrator, said day to day operations are dominated by people looking to get tested before they fly. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Staff nurse Swetha Panayamthatta dressed in full PPE gear as a precaution. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Tests are collected and processed as fast as possible. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dr Sugandhna Malan also sees a lot of commuters who need to be tested to enter Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Much of the hospital's work is testing prospective travellers looking to go on holiday this summer. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE recorded 683 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 51,540.

Officials announced a further 440 people had recovered from the virus across the country as this tally moved to 40,297.

Two patients died after developing Covid-19, pushing the death toll in the Emirates to 323.

Authorities revealed an additional 47,000 tests had been carried out as part of the UAE’s mass screening strategy.

Today, the country announced the merger of several ministries and departments in a drive to create a more agile and responsive government.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, set out a new structure for several public institutions.

“Our goal from the structural changes are for a government quicker in its decision-making … effectively adjusts with changes … better in seizing opportunities in dealing with this new phase in history – an agile government and quick in solidifying the achievement of our nation,” he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi updated its travel rules to allow residents to take 48-hour trips outside the emirate.

Motorists must be tested in the city before they leave and take their results with them.

Previously, residents could leave Abu Dhabi but had to be screened before returning, at a clinic in Dubai or the Northern Emirates, to prove they were Covid-free.

Police at the border must check text message confirmation from testing centres or the government’s Al Hosn tracing app to ensure all drivers and any passengers tested negative.

On Thursday, motorists queued for two hours at drive-through centres in Dubai as they prepared to go on holiday or travel to the capital.