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      Saudi Arabia announces when travel restrictions will be lifted for its citizens

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      Saudi Arabia has announced that travel restrictions will be lifted for citizens at the beginning of 2021.

      Starting January 1, all international travel restrictions which have been implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on Sunday.
      Travel via the borders to and from the Kingdom includes via air, land and sea.
      Meanwhile, as of this week on September 15, the Kingdom will partially ease restrictions on international flights in order to permit citizens and residents to travel who are in “exceptional circumstances”.
      Back in March, Saudi’s borders were closed due to the pandemic and have remained closed since.
      To date, the Kingdom has had 325,651 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 302,870 of which have fully recovered. There has been a total of 4,268 deaths.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Experience Al Ula Instagram More

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      Coronavirus in the UAE: What you need to know

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      It’s hard to believe we have all lived through over six months of a pandemic. Many countries, including the UAE, have gone through many different stages of lockdown, implemented social distancing measures and closed borders.
      However, as of late, things have begun to return to a “new normal” with establishments such at retail outlets and restaurants reopening, but with strict measures in place to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

      Following the implementation of a curfew and 24-hour lockdown, along with the national sterilisation programme, life in the UAE has slowly returned to normal with malls, restaurants, hotels and more having reopened. Dubai also reopened its borders to tourists back in July.
      However, over the past month or so, numbers have begun to increase with 930 new confirmed cases reported on September 10 – the highest number in a single day since May.

      There were several announcements made and other rules have been reiterated to ensure the public adheres to the precautionary measures in place to stop the further spread of the virus.
      Self-quarantine even if you test negative
      During the COVID-19 press briefing last Thursday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Health, outlined that anyone who comes into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate at home for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test.
      “Anyone who comes in contact with a COVID-19 patient must self isolate,” she said. “A PCR test is not enough as the incubation period can reach up to 14 days. The PCR should be negative on the 14th day to step out.”
      No public or private gatherings
      This has been a rule in place since the beginning of the pandemic, and the UAE government has reiterated that people avoid gatherings. However, if they do take place they must be limited to a maximum of five people and social distancing measures must be adhered to.
      Those who organise public or private gatherings which do not adhere to rules will be fined Dhs10,000. All participants in gatherings will be fined Dhs5,000 each.
      Maximum three people in a car
      This rule was implemented months ago and still applies – three people maximum are allowed in a car. If you do not adhere to the limit, it’s a Dhs3,000 fine.
      Social distance and wear a mask
      The best thing everyone can do right now is to continue to adhere to social distancing rules of two metres, where their masks when required, wash your hands regularly and follow the safety measures in place.

      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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      The flawless dining experience in Dubai everyone needs to try

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      If you were planning a trip to the city that never sleeps this year, but it was put on pause due to the pandemic. There’s a piece of New York City right here in Dubai which you can enjoy.
      Enter Indochine. A beloved Manhattan hotspot for 36 years, the French-Vietnamese restaurant is a famed hang out amongst the A-list crowd. Over the years, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Bella Hadid, Andy Warhol, Kendall Jenner, Diane von Furstenberg, Naomi Campbell and more have become regulars at the NYC restaurant, located in NoHo.

      At the end of 2019, over three decades after the flagship restaurant opened in NYC in 1984, Indochine arrived in Dubai. It didn’t take long for the new DIFC haunt to attract its own celebrity crowd and less than a year on Indochine Dubai has played host to tennis ace Roger Federer, Dubai-based influencer entrepreneur Karen Wazen, Italian fashionista Chiara Ferragni and actress Lindsay Lohan.

      While the new hotspot may have been on your Dubai culinary wishlist, a mere four months after its opening the entire country (and world) went into lockdown. Now things are returning to normal, we highly recommend adding this to your must-book restaurant list. We recently took a visit to the famed Indochine franchise in DIFC, and to give a preview it’s most definitely EW approved.
      The Vibe
      Arriving at 8pm on a Thursday evening, restaurant-goers are greeted to what feels like an exclusive club with the dimmed lighting and bespoke decor – which transcends the flagship New York City eatery.
      It’s the ideal decor for the perfect Instagram photo – say hello to palm leaf wallpaper, rattan furniture, a light-up Indochine sign and the perfect mood lighting for an intimate dinner.

      With an array of seating arrangements including tables of four, long tables and booths, the establishment is able to cater for both groups and pairs. (Note: there’s full social distancing measures in place, the restaurant also has perspex screens between booths to ensure maximum protection in place for guests.)
      For a more casual setting, there’s the chic Indochine lounge which is the perfect meeting place for a pre-dinner drink, or just to keep your Thursday or Friday night outing less formal.
      The Food
      With so much on the menu to choose from, we left the choice up to the expertise of our waiter Manny, who hails from the USA.
      He was a meticulous expert in every aspect of the menu, asking us what we prefer and tailoring it to what we like.
      Standout dishes include the fried vegetable spring roles, sea bream carpaccio, crispy eggplant and beef pho rolls.

      However, the absolute pièce de résistance of the meal was the wok-tossed rice noodles cooked with asparagus, king oyster mushrooms, chilli, scallion and mushroom sauce – a completely vegan dish. It’s clear, whatever diet requirements customers have, they can be catered to.
      While starters and mains well and truly filled us up, Manny was adamant we try dessert. His recommendation the banana beignets and passionfruit tartelette which, again, were both a true delight. We decided to enjoy our dessert in the chic ambience of the lounge to experience both aspects of Indochine.

      All in all, the whole evening was faultless. So, if Indochine is on your restaurant wishlist, we suggest booking ASAP.
      As we’ve said, this flawless dining experience is something everyone in Dubai needs to try. Whether it be a date night or a night out with friends, Indochine suits every crowd.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      Zayn Malik breaks Instagram silence days before Gigi Hadid’s due date

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      Gigi Hadid is due to give birth any day now and ahead of the birth of their first child together, the model’s boyfriend has broken his nearly two-month Instagram silence.
      Normally quiet on the social media front compared to his girlfriend, Zayn Malik took to the social media platform to share a polaroid photo with his fans.

      The singer didn’t allude to much, but wrote in the caption, “Got some stuff to show ya soon!”
      As to what this is pertaining to could mean a variety of things. Firstly, of course, the arrival of his first child with 25-year-old Gigi. It could also allude to the former One Direction star releasing more music – his last solo album was released nearly two years ago.

      It’s an exciting time for the singer, particularly with the impending arrival of his first child with Gigi which is rumoured to be days away after she gave fans a hint to her due date in her maternity shoot.
      The couple is currently in New York City, where it’s been reported the supermodel will give birth.
      It’s fair to assume the pair are staying in Gigi’s new $5.8 million (Dhs21.3 million) Manhattan apartment, which she gave fans a glimpse of last month.
      According to a recent report from E! News, the pregnancy has been good for Gigi and Zayn’s relationship after the couple reunited at the end of last year.
      “Zayn and Gigi are really excited and have been loving this experience together,” a source told E!. “They both are reading parenting books, have had fun planning the nursery and picking out items together. Things are going really smoothly, and they are closer as a couple more than ever.”
      It’s been reported the couple are expecting a girl, but neither of them has officially confirmed the gender.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Feature Image: Getty More

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      How I got my job as… Yas Island Wellness Ambassador, Khadija Al Ameri

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      As many more of us venture out to our favourite hangouts, the team at Yas Island is on hand to ease any anxieties you might have during these uncertain times. One of them is Khadija Al Ameri.
      As the Wellness Ambassador, she believes that your leisure time is an opportunity to reconnect with your loved ones while also improving your mental wellbeing. Below she talks us through her role why now more than ever it’s important to invest in personal wellness.
      What was your favourite subject at school?

      Growing up, my favourite subject at school was History.
      What was your first job?
      My first job was an Events Planner, where I have handled projects promoting Abu Dhabi as a destination, including World Skills Abu Dhabi.

      Talk us through your role as a Yas’ Wellness Ambassador.
      The Yas Wellness Program was launched to reassure guests it is safe to visit Yas Island responsibly and provide visitors with information about the health and safety measures in place. I am part of a great team of 34 health and safety leaders whose role is to make sure that guests feel safe and secure when they visit Yas Island and that they enjoy their time spent with their loved ones at our attractions.  This includes assisting guests with any questions or concerns they may have about the safety measures in place on Yas Island through email, phone, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  With the many changes and uncertainties brought about by COVID-19, I love that my role as a Yas Wellness Ambassador is to reassure guests and help grant them peace-of-mind.
      What does wellness mean to you?
      Wellness to me means safety, well-being and peace-of-mind. I think that my job as a Yas Wellness Ambassador has greatly influenced my perception of what ‘wellness’ is because I know how important it is to our daily lives. The impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent socialising and travel restrictions has highlighted the importance of community, connectivity and shared experiences on our mental wellbeing. Leisure and family time plays a big part in this and I am so proud to be able to help people return to what they love after a difficult period and in a safe and responsible manner.
      How have you emotionally navigated through these uncertain times?
      Personally, doing my best to stay up-to-date with the health and safety guidelines set by the authorities has helped me eliminate a lot of stress that could stem from not knowing what to do or expect from the new life routine we are encountering. I think this pandemic has allowed us all to slow down a bit and reflect on the small things in life. It has also helped us to become closer to our loved ones, as we all go through this situation together. Spending time with my family, and connecting with those who I don’t see in person more often than usual, has helped me emotionally navigate through these uncertain times.
      Do you believe we all should be working on our personal wellness?
      I believe we all need to take the responsibility of caring about our own wellness, and the wellness of our loved ones. It’s very important to educate ourselves on how mental and physical wellness goes beyond affecting ourselves only, but also the people around us who we interact with on a daily bases.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      My advice would be to do what you love and do it well. My role as a Yas Wellness Ambassador came from working in the Yas Concierge team and my love of working with people. When dealing with the public it is noticeable when you are genuine with your help and it is appreciated much more when you go above and beyond.

      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      “Not everyone is going to agree with you, but you have to follow your heart and do what is best for you because you will be the one who has to live with the choices that you make.”
      Coming from a society that is strongly family-oriented, our culture has raised us to be selfless and giving. While these are beautiful traits, that build strong family and friendship bonds, it makes it easy for us to unconsciously choose to live our lives by always choosing the norm, and whatever we see is safe to face the society with, whether that’s is with regards to what we study, what job roles we take, or what hobbies we practice.
      I believe that it’s important for us to think about what we love or makes us passionate, and not be afraid to explore these options until we find what truly makes us happy, without worrying about failing because it’s an option that has never been done before by the people around us or feeling discouraged because we think about what people would say about our choices.
      And what is the worst?
      At some point of my life, I was in an environment that made me extremely unhappy, and whilst I was debating whether or not I should walk away from it, I received a piece of advice from someone who said:  “Convince yourself to just live with it, that’s just how life is, everyone is going through the same thing. Otherwise, you will end up never finding anything better”
      That advice is something that I do not agree with at all because I believe that it’s not worth wasting your life spending your time on things that drain your energy and do not bring you happiness in return.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Accepting the difficulties and failures encountered through the process of achieving my big goals.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Images: Instagram More

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      Watch Dubai couple’s baby gender reveal on the Burj Khalifa

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      Gender reveal parties have become a norm for any pregnancy journey, in fact, we have seen more emphasis on these than on the baby showers.
      Whether it’s popping a giant balloon to reveal either pink or blue confetti, cutting into a blue or pink cake or making the use of a giant smoke cannon, we have a feeling that nothing you have seen will match the extravagance of the gender reveal that occurred in Dubai.

      Just before the weekend, YouTubers Anas and Asala Marwah, who have over 7 million subscribers, decided to use the tallest building in the world for the biggest ever gender reveal.

      The couple along with their daughter saw the Burj Khalifa light up in stars and fireworks as the tense 10-second countdown finally revealed that they are expecting a boy.
      In the video, Asala said: “My heart is beating, I feel it is going to pop out of my chest and I feel much more excited than my wedding day.”
      There has been some speculation over the cost of using 830-meter structure to project a message with some believing that it would’ve set the expecting parents back around Dhs514,000.
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      It’s a heavy cost, but it’s an unforgettable experience.
      Anas and Asala Marwah welcomed their first child Mila in 2018, who excitedly watched the animation on the Burj Khalifa alongside other family members and friends.
      “We wanted to do something unique and memorable so that we can all look at it in the future and remember what we built as a family,” Asala added.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Images: Instagram More

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      930 new COVID-19 cases in UAE, the highest amount in a single day in 4 months

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      In the latest briefing from the UAE government surrounding the pandemic, authorities have urged citizens and residents to be diligent when it comes to precautionary measures to stop the virus from spreading.
      On Thursday, Dr Farida Al Hosani, the official spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Health, announced there were 930 new cases – the highest number reported in four months. The total number of recorded cases is now 76,911.

      She also announced there had been five new deaths. Meanwhile, there have been 536 new recoveries, bringing the total recoveries to 67,945.
      In the briefing, it’s now been confirmed that anyone who comes into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case must self-isolate at home for 14 days, even if you receive a negative test.

      You must self-quarantine for the entire 14 days, and should then take a second test after two weeks to ensure you are clear of any potential COVID-19 infection.
      According to Dr Al Hosani, 88 per cent of the new cases have resulted from weddings, work, funerals or other forms of social gatherings.
      It was highlighted that the public must ensure they are wearing their masks and implementing social distancing measures of two metres.
      While the numbers have increased, the highest number of COVID-19 recoveries in a single day were recorded earlier this week.
      On Sunday, it was announced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention that 2,443 COVID-19 cases have fully recovered.
      So, this is a reminder to stay diligent, wear your mask and ensure you are social distancing.
       – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.

      Feature Image: Unsplash More

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      Jordan and Abu Dhabi play backdrop to Zendaya’s latest film

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      The region has been a popular destination for award-winning filmmakers who come for the rugged landscape, sand dunes and futuristic architecture.
      The latest flick to take advantage of these unique backdrops is Dune starring Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet. Based on the novel of the same name by Frank Hubert, the trailer shows the stars on location in Jordan’s Wadi Rum and the Abu Dhabi Empty Quarter.

      The sci-fi thriller tells a tale of an aristocratic family – consisting of Paul Atreides played by Chalamet and his father played by Oscar Isaac and his mother portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson – on the planet of Caladan. First unknown to him, Paul possesses supernatural powers that give him an ability to unleash energy and be a leader.

      The dream. #DuneMovie pic.twitter.com/Ucb90dQHJn
      — ⊃∪∩⪽ (@DuneNews) September 9, 2020

      These come in handy when his family decides to take over the desert world of Arrakis, which is known for producing an essential spice called melange that gives anyone enhanced abilities. Of course, nothing comes easy on Arrakis and Paul will face plenty of obstacles, including giant sandworms (we’re so glad this is fiction).
      On his journey, he meets two warriors played by Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa who train him. He also crosses paths with his love interest played by Zendaya. This mystery woman with blue eyes is called Chani, and he sees her in his dreams. Strangely, everything he sees in his dreams come true.
      Expect plenty of action sequences, some smouldering from Chalamet and exceptional captures of some of the most beautiful locations in the region – few of which the actors shared during the filming back in 2019.

      Split into two parts, the film adaptation is directed by Denis Villeneuve who is known for Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. The first part of Dune will be out in cinemas this December.
      Previous films shot in the out-of-this-world Wadi Rum desert include The Martian, Lawrence of Arabia, The Rise of Skywalker, and Rogue One.
      [embedded content]
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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