Coronavirus: UAE reports 809 new cases on biggest single day of testing

More than 103,000 people were screened in the past 24 hours

Commuters wait for their bus outside the airconditioned bus stop along al Falah Street in central Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon All photos by. All photos by Victor Besa /The National

Mustaffa, eleven, waits for his bread to be baked with his uncle Abdul Qader outside the Naser Bader Bakery.

Abdul Rahman has been working at Naser Bader Bakery along Al Falah Street, Abu Dhabi for almost five years now.

The new air-conditioned bus stops around Abu Dhabi with Covid-19 restrictions.

Pedestrians cross the street at central Abu Dhabi on Friday afternoon.

Commuters get off the bus at Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

Commuters get off the bus at Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

E-scooter riders along Al Falah Street in central Abu Dhabi on a Friday afternoon.

The UAE recorded 809 cases of Covid-19 on Saturday - the biggest day of testing to date.

The number of people screened in the previous 24 hours crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time and stood at 103,124.

The latest figures take the country's total cases to 84,242. A further 722 patients recovered, while one died from complications, taking the death toll to 404.

Globally, coronavirus cases passed 30.5 million on Saturday, while the death toll nears one million. Recoveries stood at 20.7m.

Emirati officials have issued stern warnings following a recent rise in figures, reiterating that tough fines remain in place for failing to wear a mask and hosting parties and gatherings, among other offences.

In other developments on Saturday, the special Covid-19 prosecution unit said eight people were arrested in for organising weddings.

The Federal Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Prosecution said police in Abu Dhabi made arrests over two weddings, while officers in Ras Al Khaimah detained people over one  event there.

Officials said the events were to be attended by a "large number of people who were not first-degree relatives".

“Public Prosecution will take all legal measures against anyone who does not adhere to the measures and instructions related to limiting the spread of Covid-19,” a statement read.

“These measures aim to protect the health and safety of members of the UAE community and support government efforts to contain the repercussions of this pandemic on various aspects of health, economic and social life.”

The arrests came after Abu Dhabi Police busted a wedding last weekend and detained the groom, his father and the father of the bride. They will face legal action and fines of up to Dh10,000 each for organising the event, which was held in a large tent outside the family's villa.

Officers did not reveal nationalities of the three men, nor the precise location of the wedding.

At the weekend, the government warned that gatherings should be limited to 10 family members - and recommended that relatives each be tested 24-hours prior to the event.

Physical distancing of two metres must be maintained, even inside, and hosts should remind guests to regularly wash their hands.

Weddings should be kept to an absolute minimum in terms of numbers, or postponed where possible.

Also at the weekend, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre said it would place notices outside the homes of people who are undergoing quarantine.

The signs will explain that an individual inside the residential unit is under 14-day quarantine mandated by the government.

The notice will let neighbours know they are under quarantine so they avoid disturbing them, officials said.