UAE
A day at Al Wathba Wetland Reserves
Al Wathba Wetland Reserve is the first area in the Emirate designated for protection by law and was declared a Ramsar site in 2013.
The reserve is particularly known for its large population of Greater Flamingos – with as many as 4,000 living there during autumn and spring – but also hosts more than 250 species of birds, 37 plant species and a wide range of aquatic life. There are two self-guided walking trails (1.5 kms or 3 kms) for visitors to explore and a bird-watching hide to observe the flamingos.
Dedicated website: Al Wathba Wetland Reserves
#Photo Speaks – Beauty of Palm Tree Leaves
#Photo Speaks – Beauty of Palm Tree Leaves
It has been a very long time that I have been following the Date Palm Trees. For a normal person, it is just another tree. May be even those from and living in the land of these Date Palm Trees, it is. But, for me, it is not.
For me, it is a part of my life. Yes, my life here in the UAE. Looking at it each day, connects me with the realities of life. The seasonal changes. The festivities happening. May other things.
Yes, it is just another day and another Date Palm Tree and its leaves!.
Try and have a closer look at these trees next time you pass by them.
News update: Coronavirus: Dubai residents cannot leave home without new permit
Public must apply for permission each time they go shopping, government confirms.
Dubai residents must obtain prior permission each time they leave their homes as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management confirmed on Sunday that all journeys outside of the home – including to pick up essential groceries – must be approved in advance.
People must register their planned trips online and outline the reason for their request, say where they will be going and give an estimated duration they will be away from their address. Those found breaching the stay-home measures will face ‘stringent legal action’.
The strict measures the latest part of the emirate’s round-the-clock restrictions on travel, which were first ramped up on Saturday.
Only one member of a household can now leave home for essential shopping in supermarkets and pharmacies. The only other journeys that are allowed are to hospital or a doctor’s appointment.
People must also wear a mask and gloves at all times once outside – not only when arriving at a shop.
An application must be filled out at https://dxbpermit.gov.ae/home before every journey.
Users will be asked to enter their mobile phone number and will then be sent a verification code to allow them to move to the application page of the site.
They must then give their Emirates ID, the plate number of their car and their address.
It must also include the time the person will leave and return time home and their destination.
Essential workers, which includes medical workers and supermarket staff among others, will not need to apply to go to work each day.
But they must carry a letter from their employer stating who they are and their Emirates ID at all times.
“The Committee stressed that only individuals registering on the website will be able to obtain permission to leave home,” said a statement from the disaster management committee.
“Those violating the restrictions will face stringent legal action. The compliance of all people is vital to the success of measures to combat the virus and ensure the highest levels of protection in the community.”
In other developments, any driver who has been flashed by speed camera in recent days would not have to pay a fine, Dubai Media Office said. But any use of a vehicle without a permit as of Sunday would be met with consequences.
On Saturday, the UAE recorded 241 new Covid-19 cases, taking the total to 1,505.
The death of an Arab national, aged 53, took the death toll to 10, while 17 more people recovered, bringing that total to 125.
The new tally means the number of cases almost tripled in a week. Officials said the figure would rise as testing increased and investigators work to trace people who had been in contact with patients before they showed symptoms.
On Saturday, Dubai closed both lines of the Metro and the tram until further notice, according to a letter sent to station retailers.
Source: The National
News Update: COVID-19: Disinfection drive extended to 24 hours in Dubai
Strict measures in place to restrict movement in Dubai to curb spread of coronavirus
HIGHLIGHTS
- The measures will be effective from 8pm on Saturday, April 4, 2020 for a period of two weeks, subject to renewal.
- Individuals will not be allowed to leave the house, except for essential purposes or if they are working in vital sectors exempted from the restrictions.
- All people leaving home should wear a mask, gloves and ensure they keep a safe distance from others.
- Source: Gulf News
Combating Covid-19: Run a 42km marathon in UAE even as you #StayHome
News update: New ‘Stay Home’ App launched by DoH to reinforce self-quarantine procedures
ABU DHABI, 3rd April, 2020 (WAM) — The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, DoH, has launched a new smartphone application “Stay Home” that ensures people requested to self-quarantine adhere to mandatory quarantine requirements.
Designed to protect both those in self-quarantine and the community, the app ensures they do not come into contact with other people during their quarantine period, thereby maximising the benefit of self-quarantine procedures.
The app is part of the Department’s constant commitment to limiting the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, and is among the series of comprehensives measures and preventative actions taken to safeguard the health and safety of the community.
The “Stay Home” app will enable the Department to stay informed of the whereabouts of people who are in mandatory home quarantine, determine their location and ensure that the conditions of the quarantine are not violated in the best interests of them, their families and society at large.
The “Stay Home” app can be downloaded through Google Play and the Apple Store. Every person asked to self-quarantine at home will get a username and password to be able to use the app. The app then sends alerts that inform users to stay within the range of movement allowed during the quarantine period.
Source: WAM
News update: Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism extends ban of events and wedding parties, closure of venues
ABU DHABI, 3rd April, 2020 (WAM) — In line with the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure public health and safety, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, DCT Abu Dhabi, has extended the ban on all events and wedding parties, and the closure of venues in Abu Dhabi until further notice.
In addition, DCT Abu Dhabi has extended the period of suspension of all tour services and activities related to sea cruises, desert camps and tours (safari) as well as the operation of floating restaurants until further notice.
Read more at: WAM
News update: MBRSC releases image showing decline of NO2 in GCC
DUBAI, 1st April, 2020 (WAM) — The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, has released a GIF image of the decrease in nitrogen dioxide, NO2, concentration in the GCC countries, between 26th November, 2019, until 27th March, 2020.
The Remote Sensing Department at MBRSC published the results using data acquired by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P mission. The drop in NO2 concentrations beginning late-February coincides with the region-wide precautionary measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Nitrogen dioxide is mainly produced from engines, power generation and other industrial processes, according to the World Health Organisation. In view of the lockdown announced in various countries, fewer vehicles are on the road, fewer planes are taking flight and industries have also been affected over the period. This has led to the decline in NO2 concentrations, which in turn has improved air quality.
Source: WAM
News update: Covid-19 in UAE: I have move permit but got flashed by radar
Can you walk alone, or drive to and from work before 8pm? Here are the answers.
Several readers wrote to Khaleej Times, seeking clarity on the UAE attorney-general’s resolution about fines and penalties against violators of the Covid-19 coronavirus measures. We posed some of these questions to Emirati lawyer Abdul Moneim Bin Suwaidan of Bin Suwaidan Firm for Advocates and Legal Counsels.
Q. I have a move permit and got flashed by radars while driving. What do I do?
The radar flashes on any car. But the fines are later cancelled for move permit holders.
Q. If I don’t work in an essential sector, will I be fined for driving to and from work before 8pm?
People stepping out for work purposes are not fined. They need to present a proof, a document of that.
Q. Do I have to get a movement permit to go to the supermarket in the day time?
Movement permits are required during the sterilisation process timings.
Q. If I get fined for a violation, should I pay it immediately to the police?
There is a special prosecution handling such cases. One is summoned there and he can also object (to the fine).
There are several more questions, please do visit and read, Khaleej Times.
News update: Abu Dhabi suspends Mawaqif parking fees for 3 weeks
Earlier, Dubai had also suspended public parking fees during the hours of the sterilisation drive.
Abu Dhabi announced suspension of parking fees on Sunday.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport announced the suspension of Mawaqif parking fees for a period of three weeks starting from March 30 (Monday).
The policy will be subject to revision and extension.
Source: Khaleej Times
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