lifestyle and culture

As the UAE continues to pave the way when it comes to vaccine rates, one of the country’s national airlines has reached an amazing milestone in the fight against COVID-19.
Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways has announced it’s now vaccinated 100 per cent of its crew members and staff against coronavirus, becoming the first airline in the world to do so.

The move, according to Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, the move is not only to protect its staff, but to ensure their passengers feel safe and comfortable when travelling.
“We proactively made the vaccine available to all our employees to not only help combat the effects of COVID-19 but to make travellers feel confident and reassured the next time they fly with us,” he said.

“We are the only airline in the world to make COVID-19 testing mandatory for every passenger and crew member before every flight and now, we’re the first airline in the world with 100 per cent vaccinated crew on board.”
COVID-19 PCR tests
Further ensuring the safety of their passengers – if you’re flying with the airline before March 21, 2020 – an outbound PCR test is included with the price of the ticket.

In addition, each ticket also includes a COVID-19 wellness cover to ensure your protection through travelling with the crew wearing its PPE masks at all times and making sure all guests test negative for COVID-19 before they fly. All additional deep cleaning and complementary wellness kits including a face mask, gloves and hand get are available for utmost safety when you travel. The Etihad Airways Medical Centre also became an accredited COVID-19 vaccination clinic.
For more information regarding any health and safety measures on the airline visit Etihad.com to check all the latest travel regulations before you fly.
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With the rising COVID-19 cases in the UAE, there have been more restrictions imposed throughout the country as everyone’s safety is of utmost priority.
However, some of the restrictions vary from emirate to emirate. In order to be as aware as possible, here’s your guide to the current restrictions in place across all of the seven emirates.
Abu Dhabi

It was announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee on February 7, parties and gatherings are prohibited. Meanwhile, the number of people at marriage ceremonies has been limited to 10 and a maximum of 20 people can attend funerals and mourning services.

The maximum capacity of malls in the UAE’s capital is capped at 40 per cent and gyms are now limited to 50 per cent capacity.
As for restaurants and cafes, the maximum capacity they can run at is 60 per cent, with all of the required social distancing guidelines in place.
Meanwhile, cinemas have also been ordered to close completely.
Dubai

Malls can only operate at a maximum of 70 per cent capacity with live entertainment in venues suspended a couple of weeks ago. Music is allowed in hotels and restaurants but only to a limited level, restricting it to 70 decibels of instrumental-only.
All Dubai brunches have been cancelled as stated in a circular issued by Dubai Tourism, until end of February with malls operating at a maximum of 70 per cent and bars and pubs are to be remained closed until the end of February.
Hotels are to operate at 70 per cent capacity, with new bookings to comply with the capacity limit. Meanwhile, swimming pools and private beaches in hotels to be limited to a 70 per cent capacity. Meanwhile, indoor seated venues including cinemas, entertainment venues and sports venues can now only operate at 50 per cent.
Tougher penalties regarding any violations will also be imposed for deliberately disregarding the preventive measures.
Also read: A complete guide to all of the new COVID-19 protocols in Dubai
Sharjah

The Department of Suburbs and Villages Affairs in Sharjah announced an updated set of precautionary measures, with a maximum of 20 people at gatherings with a minimum distance of four metres.
As for public spaces, caps on capacities have been implemented. Cinemas cannot exceed 50 per cent capacity; malls have to operate at 60 per cent capacity; gyms must not exceed 50 per cent capacity; and restaurants cannot have more than four people per table and tables must be two metres a part.

Ajman

With new rules announced by Ajman’s Department of Economic Development (DED) cafes, restaurants and snack shops are required to close by 12am each day with a capacity of 50 per cent only. Weddings and social events are capped at 50 people.
Ajman Police have also issued a warning to residents informing them that failure to comply with the rules will lead to heavy penalties being imposed, including a penalty of Dhs10,000 for a fine to the organiser with gatherings of more than 20 people.
Ras Al Khaimah

Cinemas, events venues and gyms can operate at a  maximum of 50 per cent capacity with malls reduced to 60 per cent. Any gatherings, including marriages, are allowed to have a maximum of 10 guests as imposed by the RAK Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Team.
Beaches and public parks are reduced to 70 per cent capacity. Restaurants must have a minimum distance of two metres between tables and no more than four people are allowed to sit together, unless it’s the same family.
Umm Al Quwain

The Umm Al Quwain police announced on their official Instagram account that the authorities have identified certain areas in the emirate where people tend to gather with the need to strictly implement the necessary social distancing and safety measures at all event making a crackdown on any social gatherings to curb the spread
Fujairah

The Local Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management team of the Emirate of Fujairah last announced the reintroduction of shisha services, with no update on the preventive and precautionary measures to prevent the COVID-19 measures.
People in all emirates have been advised to avoid greeting each other by way of any physical contact, with facemasks needed to be worn at all times, while implementing the necessary health and safety measures as there are enough provisions for sanitisation available.
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Feature image: Instagram @dubai  More

If you’ve been thinking about a move to the UAE or are already in the UAE and have been contemplating a career change, there’s a guide that’s here to help.
LinkedIn recently published a guide to the most in-demand job sectors in the country, showcasing how the job market drastically changed in 2020 due to the pandemic and will continue to do so in 2021.

This was noted by Ali Matar, the head of LinkedIn MENA and emerging markets in Europe and Africa, saying, “The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the way businesses operate and how people work, but it has also opened up opportunities as businesses continue to adapt to the pandemic.”
He went on to say, “2021 will undoubtedly be a year of continued change, but companies will also continue to look for new ways to improve services, create fresh business opportunities and strengthen their talent pools, taking advantage of a greater diversity of skills and talent in the job market.”

LinkedIn has outlined the top 15 sectors which are currently hiring which include medical professionals, digital content producers, finance and business roles and more. Aiding in the job search even more, the career network platform has outlined the top skills per sector, top locations and common job titles.
Creative professionals
With a growing demand for high-quality content, freelance writer and video producer roles are at a high right now with companies seeking skills including video production, writing, illustration, graphic design and photography.
Top locations hiring: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Common job titles: Writer, video producer, fashion stylist, art consultant, illustrator
Specialised medical professionals
As the world has tackled the pandemic, the medical sector has soared in the demand for professionals including nurses and general practitioners. According to LinkedIn, this has increased by 112 per cent in hires. The top skills include nursing, basic life support (BLS), internal medicine, patient safety and healthcare management.
Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
Common job titles: Registered nurse, nurse, general practitioner, medical doctor, clinic pharmacist
Digital Content Freelancers
In 2020, most of the world went digital increasing online activity and a change in consumer behaviour. In turn, this has led to an increase in digital freelancers. Top skills for this sector included YouTube, blogging, social media marketing, creative writing and video production.
Top locations hiring: Dubai
Common job titles: Content coordinator, blogger, YouTuber, podcaster
Healthcare support staff
Just as the need for medical professionals increased, so did support staff in the same sector, by a reported 129 per cent. This includes laboratory assistants and clinical managers with skill sets including haematology, infection control, microbiology, laboratory skills and clinical research.
Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman
Common job titles: Medical laboratory technologist, laboratory assistant, healthcare assistant, medical consultant, clinic manager
E-commerce
As mentioned, consumer buying habits changed drastically in 2020 with everything going digital and as a knock-on effect e-commerce exploded, especially in the UAE. Top designer brands including Hermes, Dior, Prada and more went online, and small businesses also had to move online. The top skills sought in this industry are digital marketing, search engine optimisation (SEO) and e-commerce.
Top locations hiring: Dubai
Common job titles: E-commerce coordinator, online specialist
Digital Marketing Specialists
In line with e-commerce, an increase in digital marketing specialists has also seen a 71 per cent growth. Top skills include influencer marketing, content strategy, digital marketing, market research and Google ads.
Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
Common job titles: Digital marketing manager, social media manager, social media marketing specialist, marketing director, social media marketing manager
Business development and sales
With demand in the software and technology industries increasing, this resulted in more salespeople being hired in the UAE to capitalise on this growth, contributing to a 74 per cent growth in business development and sales hires.  The top skill set for these roles includes business development, customer relationship management, lead generation, team management and sales management.
Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman
Common job titles: Business development specialist, business development associate, vice president of sales, sales team lead
Professional and personal coaches
Due to several roles being impacted across several industries, many of those affected adjusted their career paths to become personal and professional coaches which led to a 207 per cent growth in these roles compared to 2019.
Top locations hiring: Dubai
Common job titles: Life coach, leadership coach
Education
Demand for education roles, particularly within universities in the UAE, increased. Specifically teaching assistant roles at New York University Abu Dhabi and American University of Sharjah were in high demand.
Top locations hiring: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah
Common job titles: Teaching assistant, high school teacher, English second language teacher, career counsellor, curriculum developer
Language services
The need for language services and proofreading increase by 134 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019.
· Top locations hiring: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
· Common job titles: Translator
Business roles
Business-related roles soared in 2020 with many of these job openings for top management positions.
· Top locations hiring: Dubai
· Common job titles: Managing partner, outreach manager, head of compliance, organisational development manager, strategic partner
Technology
The UAE witnessed a 61 per cent growth of technology hires in 2020.
· Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
· Common job titles: Web Developer, front-end developer, user interface designer, product design consultant, cybersecurity analyst
Specialised engineering roles
In 2020, engineering roles grew by 72 per cent particularly in biomedical engineering, marine engineering and audio engineering.
· Top locations hiring: Dubai
· Common job titles: Biomedical engineer, marine engineer, materials engineer, audio engineer, machine learning engineer
Finance roles
The expertise of financial professionals was highly sought after in 2020, with this category seeing a 63 per cent growth.
Top locations hiring: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Common job titles: Corporate finance manager, finance business partner, equity trader
Online news and journalism
With the outbreak of pandemic and the appetite to stay up-to-date on the ever-developing situation, the need for news and information online grew.
Top locations hiring: Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Common job titles: Editor, journalist, television producer
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History was made in the UAE last night after the Hope Probe reached Mars’ orbit after a seven-month journey.
After launching from Tanegashima Island in Japan in July 2020, the Hope Probe travelled 493.5 kilometres to the Red Planet.

As noted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, there was “a 50 per cent success rate; though the failure rate is 50 per cent” of the probe entering Mars’ orbit.
Well, the impossible, possible. The UAE became the first Arab country – and fifth in the entire world – to reach the Red Planet at 8.13pm on February 9, 2021.

Upon the success, the President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Khalifa said, “This historic achievement would not have been possible without the persistence and determination to implement the idea that emerged at the end of 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who followed it up closely until its success.”
Sheikh Mohammed also posted a pivotal, but simple phrase on Twitter upon the probe’s success: “Mission accomplished.”

تمت المهمة بنجاح
Mission Accomplished #العرب_إلى_المريخ pic.twitter.com/BxPQiJM0Sq
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 9, 2021

It is indeed mission accomplished.
Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, highlighted that this milestone is a “significant accomplishment” in the nation’s history.

The entry of the Hope Probe into the orbit of Mars is a significant accomplishment in our nation’s history. This achievement was made possible by the Emirati pioneers whose work will inspire future scientists and engineers for generations. We are immensely proud of them.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) February 9, 2021

“The entry of the Hope Probe into the orbit of Mars is a significant accomplishment in our nation’s history,” he said. “This achievement was made possible by the Emirati pioneers whose work will inspire future scientists and engineers for generations. We are immensely proud of them.”
Celebrating the achievement
In celebration of the incredible achievement, the Burj Khalifa lit up with a proud message for the country the world’s tallest building calls home.
“Congratulations to all Arabs,” the message said. “Congratulations to the UAE. A great beginning to the next 50. Mission accomplished.”
What’s next?
The probe is being spearheaded by the UAE in order to gain a full picture of what the atmosphere of Mars is like.
Since the probe has now reached the Red Planet, data will be collected over a two-year period, but this could be extended by another two years meaning the Hope Probe has the potential to be in space until 2025.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Feature Image: @concretestudioae Instagram More