Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,075 Covid-19 cases, 1,424 recoveries

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Friday reported 1,075 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 1,424 recoveries. Four deaths were also recorded.

Additional 120,665 tests were carried out.

The country witnessed a record in recoveries on Thursday with over 1,700 patients beating the virus.

UAE has become the first country in the world where the number of Covid-19 tests conducted has exceeded its population (among countries with a population of more than one million).

In a major development earlier this week, it was revealed that inbound passengers arriving at Dubai International (DXB) and holding residence visas issued in other emirates must have a pre-travel approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to return to the country, a Dubai Airports spokesperson told Khaleej Times.

The spokesperson said: "According to new travel requirements, travelers holding residence visas issued in other emirates need approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to return to the country." However, Dubai residence visa holders are still required to have an approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to return to the UAE.

Around 300 passengers who had been stranded at DXB on Wednesday afternoon were allowed to enter the country, authorities announced on Thursday.

UAE has issued thousands of fines against people and facilities caught flouting Covid-19 safety measures. The violations include hosting gatherings, meetings in private and public places and other kinds of celebrations and not observing physical distancing. The police said the violators were monitored in accordance with resolution number 38 of 2020, which covers the implementation of rules related to precautionary measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus and checking the violations.

The resolution imposes a fine of Dh10,000 on anyone caught organising gatherings or social events like a wedding or party and those attending are fined Dh5,000.

In Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate's tourism development authority and RAK Hospital announced a partnership to provide free PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) testing to international visitors staying in and departing from Ras Al Khaimah until December 31, 2020.