lifestyle and culture

Just before Christmas, it was announced that the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved to be administered in Dubai.
With the administering of the jab now well underway, many government officials have received the vaccine including the Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, who received it last week.

The Pfizer-BioNTech jab has been made free for Dubai residents with clinical trials proving 95 per cent effectiveness. With that, a list of seven centres in the emirate offering the vaccine for free have now been outlined by Dr Farida Al Khaja, CEO of clinical support services and the nursing sector at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and chairperson of the COVID-19 vaccination steering committee.

The Dubai Health Authority has now made it available at the following locations for Dubai residents:
Al Safa primary health care centre
Zabeel primary health care centre
Al Mizhar primary health care centre
Nad Al Hamr primary health
Al Barsha primary health care centre
Uptown Miriff medical fitness centre
Hatta Hospital
Who is eligible to have the vaccine?
Recently, the DHA outlined exactly who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
At present, senior citizens of all nationalities with a valid residence visa over 60 years are being prioritised to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Similarly, people with chronic diseases which include, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, obesity and people with a BMI of 35 or more.
People with disabilities, often known as ‘people of determination’ in the emirates; frontline workers in the public and private sector, including medical staff, non-medical hospital workers, emergency services and employees in sensitive and vital positions, such as government employees working to tackle the pandemic are also eligible.
As per the scheduling for the vaccination, UAE residents can book an appointment through the DHA app or even the toll-free number 800-342 and visit dha.gov.ae for more information.
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While UAE winters are arguably some of the warmest in the world, there were some sub-zero temperatures recorded over the weekend.
It was announced by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) that temperatures in the area of Raknah, Al Ain went below zero degrees Celcius to minus two degrees Celcius on Saturday, January 9 in the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile, the highest temperature which was recorded on the same day was 25 degrees Celcius in the town of Sweihan. However, this was recorded in the late afternoon.

#أقل_درجة_حرارة سجلت على الدولة صباح هذا اليوم 2 درجة مئوية تحت الصفر في ركنة الساعة 05:15 بالتوقيت المحلي لدولة الإمارات.The #lowest_temperature recorded over the country today morning was 2 °C below zero in Raknah at 05:15 UAE Local.
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) January 9, 2021

Over the next week or so those who reside in Dubai can expect temperatures of around 24 degrees with sunshine. Abu Dhabi is similar.
With temperatures fluctuating between 17 degrees to 25 degrees, depending on the time of day, it’s the perfect weather to take advantage of for terrace dinners and rooftop bars overlooking the city.
Read our ultimate round-up of the best rooftops in Dubai to give you some inspo. It’s the time to do it because before you know it, the sweltering hot weather will be here again and we’ll all be crowded around the aircon indefinitely.
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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has released many books through the years, and now he’s added one more to his collection.
The release of a brand new book penned by the Dubai Ruler was announced over the weekend.

Entitled My Little World, His Highness tells five separate stories in the book which looks back on memories from his childhood and details the lessons he has learned throughout his life from past experiences. The five separate stories are as follows: ‘Camping with the scorpions’; ‘My cave of treasures’; ‘My first horse’; ‘My friend, the lion’; and ‘My mother, like no other’.

Two particularly poignant stories include ‘My Cave of Treasures’ and ‘My Mother, Like No Other’.
As per the Dubai Media Office, ‘My Cave of Treasures’ showcases Sheikh Mohammed’s “determination to transform the room into his personal space for contemplation, brainstorming and experimentation”.
Meanwhile ‘My Mother, Like No Other’ is a heartfelt tribute to his late mother Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan.
His Highness recalls the memory of when he found a baby gazelle in the desert all alone and made sure it was safe. Per the Dubai Media Office, in the anecdote, His Highness “recalls wondering at the time whether anyone would care for it as much as its mother”.
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With reports swirling about her splitting from Kanye West, Kim Kardashian has raised a few eyebrows after swiftly deleting an Instagram photo which hints about the status of her marriage.
A few days ago Kardashian posted a mirror selfie to her Instagram grid showing off some new items to her shapewear brand Skims (which is now available to order in the UAE and the Middle East).

However, in the photo, many fans noticed that the beauty mogul wasn’t wearing her wedding ring. It’s something she’s always seen wearing, but it was noticeably absent from the photo.

READ: The staggering amount of money involved in Kim K and Kanye West’s reported split

Shortly after reports broke about her rumoured split from West, she deleted said photo.
According to E! News, the beauty mogul and the rapper “haven’t spent time together as a married couple in months” and have only spent time together with their four children – North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, two, and 20-month-old Psalm.
“Kim knows the marriage is over,” a source told E!. “She’s known for a while.”
As to exactly why Kardashian hasn’t officially filed for divorce as of yet, she just wants to be sure she’s “making the right decision for the kids”, according to the publication.
And while the source added that she’ll “always care for Kanye… [but] it’s over between them”.
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Images: Kim Kardashian West Instagram More

It has been announced that the UAE will reopen its borders with Qatar.
According to WAM, the UAE’s state news agency, air, land and seaports with Qatar will open tomorrow, Saturday, January 9, 2021.

It was stated by His Excellency Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, that the “UAE will begin to end all measures taken against the State of Qatar according to the statement issued on June 5, 2017”.

#عاجل_وام #الإمارات تعلن إعادة فتح كافة المنافذ البرية والبحرية والجوية مع #قطر اعتباراً من الغد. pic.twitter.com/uFj8LpTWhU
— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) January 8, 2021

His Excellency also stated the nation would continue to work with Qatar to “end all other outstanding issues through bilateral talks”.
The reopening air, land and sea pathways comes after the signing of the Al-Ula Agreement.
Earlier this week, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, flew to Saudi Arabia to meet with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister Fahad Al Said.
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was also in attendance – the first time he attended a summit since 2017.
All of the leaders and heads of delegations of the GCC signed the Final Communique and Al-Ula Declaration, which is a “renewal of faith in the progress of countries of the GCC”, Sheikh Mohammed said of the meeting.

محمد بن راشد: في ١٩٨١ .. قبل أربعين عاماً من اليوم استضاف والدنا ومؤسس دولتنا الشيخ زايد أول قمة في أبوظبي مع إخوانه قادة دول المجلس رحمهم الله جميعاً … مسيرة التعاون هو إرث هؤلاء القادة لشعوبهم .. واليوم تتعزز المسيرة .. وتترسخ الأخوة .. وتتجدد روح التعاون لمصلحة شعوبنا . pic.twitter.com/fHM9aI9S2j
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) January 5, 2021

Sheikh Mohammed added that there is a renewed “optimism that the coming years will bring stability and security and achievements that serve our people… and contributes to the stability of those around us”.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reiterated a similar sentiment on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
“This affirms the importance of the solidarity and stability in the Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries and strengthens the bonds of friendship and brotherhood among our countries and peoples in order to serve their aspirations,” he said, as per the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s firm and continuous policy, future plans, and ambitious development vision (the Kingdom Vision 2030) prioritises a unified and solid Gulf Cooperation Council.”
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If you’re intending to travel from the UAE to the UK soon, there’s some new updates you need to know about.
It’s been announced by the UK government that all travellers going to the UK from any country – whether they be visitors or British citizens – must ensure they have a negative COVID-19 PCR test which has been done within 72 hours.

These changes have come following an increasing number of cases in the UK due to a new reported strain of the virus which can spread more quickly.
For those travelling, if you are found without a negative COVID-19 test result will be given an immediate £500 fine.

While those travelling to the UK from other countries still face a 14-day quarantine time, this does not apply to the UAE. A travel corridor between the UAE and the UK officially opened back in November.
COVID-19 testing requirements to enter Dubai
Towards the end of last year, it was confirmed by Dubai-based airline Emirates that all tourists from the UK and Germany can be tested upon arrival at Dubai airport.
For the following countries, the below rules apply: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States (New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle).
For UAE residents, they are able to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test which is valid 96 hours before the date of departure or can simply be tested upon arrival into Dubai.
Tourists need to present a negative COVID-19 test which is valid 96 hours before the date of departure. However, those coming from Germany and the UK can opt for a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
Those who are transiting passengers from the above countries are not required to present a COVID-19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by your final destination.
For the remaining countries the below rules apply: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States (California, Florida, Texas), Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Two COVID-19 tests are required for UAE residents – one 96 hours before the departure date and a second upon arrival in Dubai.
Two COVID-19 tests are required for tourists – one 96 hours before the departure date and a second upon arrival in Dubai.
Transiting passengers from these countries must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test, as well as any requirements for their final destination.
It should be noted that a PCR test is required and you need to have a printed verification in English or Arabic – SMS or digital versions will not be accepted.

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