lifestyle and culture

As travel begins to return to normal, airlines are taking as many precautions as possible to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Now, going above and beyond to help their passengers, Emirates Airline has announced it will offer to cover free cover for COVID-19 medical costs for passengers.

In an announcement from Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and group, he said per directives from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, that the Dubai-based airline would be the first to cover medical costs for their passengers.

As directed by @HHShkMohd, @emirates will be the first airline to offer free cover for COVID-19 medical costs for its customers when they travel in the UAE & around the world. This will boost travel confidence & once again positions Emirates & Dubai as aviation industry leaders. pic.twitter.com/YJBAGObbZe
— HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (@HHAhmedBinSaeed) July 23, 2020

“Emirates will be the first airline to offer free cover for COVID-19 medical costs for its customers when they travel in the UAE and around the world,” he said in a statement on Twitter.
“This will boost travel confidence and once again positions Emirates and Dubai as aviation industry leaders.”
READ: A complete list of the destinations Emirates is currently flying to
At present, Emirates is offering flights to over 60 destinations across the globe. With the airline already taking the utmost precautions in order to ensure its employees and customers alike are protected, this extra step is likely to put passengers at further ease when it comes to travel.
The news of medical costs being covered by the airline comes after it was announced it is mandatory for all those entering the UAE to have a COVID-19 test before travelling.
The new ruling, which will come into effect on August 1, is for all passengers including UAE citizens, UAE residents, tourists and those in transit coming into UAE airports on inbound flights or transit flights. Tests must be done prior to travel, a maximum of 96 hours before.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Feature Image: Emirates Instagram  More

In the latest travel update for those entering the UAE, it has been announced it is mandatory for everyone to have a COVID-19 test before travelling.

The new ruling, which will come into effect on August 1, is for all passengers including UAE citizens, UAE residents, tourists and those in transit coming into UAE airports on inbound flights or transit flights. Tests must be done prior to travel, a maximum of 96 hours before.
READ: A complete list of the destinations Emirates is currently flying to
Similarly, in a statement from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, the authorities confirmed those who are travelling from the UAE to countries in Europe, the UK and other countries requiring a COVID-19 PCR test need to do so before boarding their flights.
This latest regulation put in place is “in line with the country’s efforts to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents and reduce the spread of coronavirus”, state news agency WAM said.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Feature Image: Visit Dubai Instagram  More

Following a tumultuous few days for Kanye West, who has spoken about very private family matters in a public way, Kim Kardashian West has broken her silence.
Opening up about her husband’s bipolar disorder, the makeup mogul asked for “compassion and empathy” from the public and media.

Over the last couple of days, West has been posting a series of erratic Twitter posts regarding personal matters, his family and more after appearing at a rally in South Carolina to launch his presidential campaign.
Kardashian took to Instagram to address the erratic behaviour her husband has been showing and also addressed his bipolar disorder.

“As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder,” she began. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.”

Kim Kardashian’s statement just posted to her Instagram stories is well worth reading. pic.twitter.com/XV9mIZvTlt
— claudia irizarry aponte (@clauirizarry) July 22, 2020

She continued to say, “I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions.”
The 39-year-old went onto highlight how the loss of his mother has affected him, as well as struggling with mental health issues has put “pressure” on him.
“He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a Black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bipolar disorder,” she said. “Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times [sic] do not align with his intentions.
“Living with bipolar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.”
She asked that everyone give “grace” to the individuals, including her husband, who are struggling with mental issues, and also asked for “compassion and empathy” during this trying time.

“We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it most,” she said. “I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this.
“Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well being and for your understanding.”
Following West’s outspoken words at the rally, Page Six reported that Kardashian and her family were left “mortified” by his behaviour, but are desperate to help the 44-year-old, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016.
“She has desperately been trying to help Kanye, keep him calm, and prevent him from having any public meltdowns,” a source told the publication. “The family believe he is having a bipolar episode.
“He won’t take medications because he feels they make him less creative.”
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Images: Kim Kardashian Instagram More

Popular Kuwaiti influencer Rawan Bin Hussain has announced she’s getting a divorce.
Sharing the news earlier this week with her 4.8 million followers on Instagram, she said she hoped people would “understand” her decision.

“Today I’m here to explain this without the filter and I’m hoping people, especially Middle Easterners who still follow the worst traditional rules, would understand me,” she said.
The 23-year-old went on to explain she was “proud” of the steps she was taking.

“I am very proud to say I am divorcing my husband,” she said.
The mother-of-one claimed she was “mentally abused”, and was called “crazy, psychotic [and] unstable”.
“I was mentally abused to the extent I did go to therapy because I thought I am unstable,” she said.
Despite the difficulties she has gone through, the influencer said she was “excited” for the next chapter in her life.
“If this will make me ‘Less of a human being’, then that’s totally fine!” she said. “I am super excited for my new chapter. And I can’t wait to start.”
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram More

As travel slowly begins to recover, along with that Emirates is slowly but surely increasing its destination pool.
By the beginning of August, the Dubai-based airline is set to be flying to over 60 destinations across the world. While it’s still significantly lower than the 157 destinations the airline was flying to pre-COVID-19, it’s most certainly a positive sign.

With the destination pool increasing and the Dubai borders having opened, perhaps a summer holiday could be on the cards? However, for those who are thinking of travelling, it’s advised you check the requirements and policies in place in your destination country.

Emirates will resume passenger services to Stockholm @Arlanda from 1 August. Now fly better and safer to 22 cities in Europe and 63 destinations worldwide from @DXB. https://t.co/aUMpd9dw8l #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter #Above_The_Clouds pic.twitter.com/WIdwHXxowG
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) July 20, 2020

With destinations continuously being added to the Emirates flight schedule, we’ve rounded up the complete list of where Emirates is offering regularly scheduled flights to.
Africa
Addis AbabaCairoDar Es SalaamKhartoumTunis
Americas
BostonChicagoNew YorkTorontoLos AngelesSao PauloWashington
Asia
ColomboDhakaIslamabadKabulKarachiLahoreMaldivesThe SeychellesHanoiHo Chi Minh CityHong KongGuangzhouJakartaKuala LumpurManilaOsakaSeoulSingaporeTaipeiTokyo
Australasia
AucklandBrisbanePerthSydney
Europe
AmsterdamAthensBarcelonaBrusselsCopenhagenDublinFrankfurtGenevaGlasgowLarnacaLondonMadridManchesterMilanMunichOsloParisPragueRomeStockholmViennaZurich
Middle East
AmmanBeirutBahrainDubaiTehran
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram More

The holiday dates for Eid Al Adha for those who work in the public sector in the UAE have been announced.

Per an announcement from the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, those who work in ministries and federal entities will receive a long weekend from Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, August 2, with work resuming on Monday, August 3.
Holidays for the private sector are yet to be confirmed but will be announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
While Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on Friday, July 31, the official date is dependent on the sighting of the moon.
The rest of the UAE public holidays for 2020:
Islamic New Year
A couple of weeks later it’s the Hijri New Year. Falling on Muharram 1, it’s expected to take place on Wednesday, August 19 or Thursday, August 20.
The Prophet’s Birthday
The Prophet Mohammed’s birthday will fall on the 12 of the Hijri month of Rabi Al Awwal, which will coincide with Wednesday, October 28, or Thursday, October 29.
Commemoration Day and National Day
To close out 2020, those in the UAE will have another three-day break to look forward to with Commemoration Day, Tuesday, December 1, and National Day, Wednesday, December 2, with a day off also on Thursday, December 3.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
Feature Image: Visit Abu Dhabi Instagram More