Dubai cancels non-essential surgical procedure amid COVID surge | Coronavirus pandemic Information

Live entertainment in hotels and restaurants has also been suspended until further notice as infections increased.

The emirate of Dubai has suspended unnecessary operations and live entertainment in hotels and restaurants for a month as coronavirus infections increase in the trading center of the Middle East.

The decision to postpone certain surgeries, which come into effect at midnight on Thursday and could be extended, was aimed at ensuring the readiness of health facilities to handle COVID-19 cases, the Dubai health authority said in a circular published on Wednesday With.

The Dubai Tourism Department issued a circular seen by Reuters suspending entertainment in hotels and restaurants after it saw an increase in coronavirus precaution violations.

Daily cases in the United Arab Emirates hit a record 3,506 on Wednesday, the highest in the Arabian Gulf, where daily numbers have fallen below 500 in each of the other five states.

The UAE does not give a breakdown of the infections in each emirate.

Visitors flocked to Dubai, an international travel center poised to welcome 25 million visitors to an Expo 2020 world exposition from October, even though other countries have imposed new lockdowns.

The UAE has lifted most of the coronavirus restrictions, but wearing masks in public and physical distancing are still required. The UK removed the UAE from its list of travel corridors this month due to the surge in infections.

Declan O’Sullivan, an Irish musician living in Dubai, resumed live performances in August. He says events and revenue are 30 to 40 percent of its pre-pandemic value, but is grateful for the opportunity to work.

“That is my view of this shutdown. As long as the bars stay open and people can go out – if the entertainers are in pain for a while and unable to perform – better than extending it for an extended period … I still count myself very, very lucky. “

Preparation of a vaccination campaign

The Gulf state has intensified its vaccination campaign with the aim of vaccinating more than 50 percent of its roughly 9 million inhabitants, most of whom are expatriates, by the end of March.

On Thursday, the UAE said they had approved Russia’s Sputnik V COVIDvaccine, state media reported, citing the Ministry of Health, marking the third vaccine approved by the UAE.

“The study results have shown the vaccine’s effectiveness in eliciting a strong antibody response to the virus, its safety to use and its compliance with international safety and efficacy standards,” the statement said.

Phase III clinical trials for the vaccine have been conducted in the UAE.

The country has already approved the shot developed by Sinopharm’s China National Pharmaceutical Group and made it available to the public. Dubai also vaccinates people with the vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTec.