Life

Ahead of UAE National Day and Christmas celebrations, the UAE has urged the public to be cautious amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The busy festive season in the UAE is normally marked with many joyous celebrations, but authorities have highlighted the public needs to be mindful when it comes to gatherings.
“With the UAE National Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations approaching, we stress the importance of adhering to precautionary and preventive health and safety measures during all activities to tackle COVID-19,” a spokesperson for the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said in a media briefing.
Stringent guidelines were outlined for celebrations over the coming month including a ban on exchanging gifts and food and the cancellation of workplace parties.
In addition, concerts can only be permitted if approval is given by authorities.
“Concerts can be held only after receiving approval from authorities and only with the application of all precautionary measures,” the spokesperson said. “Also, workplace celebrations are cancelled and restricted to the hanging of decorations, flags and banners only, while gatherings to watch shows such as fireworks are not permitted.”
It was highlighted that masks should be worn at all times and social distancing measures of two metres must be adhered to.
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The UAE has announced it will be offering free mental health support to COVID-19 frontline workers.
The Frontline Heroes Office, which was launched back in July, announced a free helpline has been launched in order to help frontline workers cope with the mental health pressures faced throughout the pandemic.

The new initiative has been implemented after research found by the authority found that 46 per cent of professionals in the country have felt their mental health has been impacted by the pandemic. Meanwhile, 25 per cent of frontliners claimed they felt burnt out from work.
With a team of 55 trained volunteers, the helpline will be available from 8am to 8pm for frontline workers via the number 800-HOPE (800-4673). Support is available in both Arabic and English and the entire team of 55 volunteers are supported by 12 clinical psychologists.

The Frontline Heroes Office also released a statement on the new mental health support: “This initiative falls under the framework of the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, in his role as chairman of the Frontline Heroes Office, to support frontline professionals in facing the Coronavirus pandemic on a national level.”
The Chairman of the Board for the Frontline Heroes Office, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, also made a statement thanking frontline professionals for facing “the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“Their selfless work has meant that the UAE has been one of the leading countries in tackling the pandemic with sincerity and passion, which is why we must take care of them in appreciation of their dedication and generosity,” he said.
“The current pandemic has highlighted the unique challenges faced by our invaluable frontline professionals, and our hope is that through this helpline, we can help provide impactful mental health support to these brave individuals who are dedicating their lives to protecting us all.”
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His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has revealed the 2020 UAE Pioneer Award will be dedicated to those who have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was announced via the Dubai Media Office Twitter page that the award – the UAE Pioneers Award – will honour “exceptional individuals, institutions, and initiatives that contributed to making the UAE a role model” throughout the pandemic.

And the nomination process couldn’t be easier – it’s all done through social media. Using the hashtag #UAE_Pioneers on Twitter, those who intend to nominate someone need to explain who or what the person, institution or initiative is, as well as the reason why they should receive the prestigious award.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum called on members of the society to nominate exceptional individuals and projects that catalysed UAE’s success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The nomination campaign will be on the hashtag #UAE_Pioneers.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 14, 2020

Upon the announced of the new award, His Highness said the country has showcased a “shining model” of collaboration throughout the difficult times during the pandemic.
“The United Arab Emirates represents a shining model of collaborative effort, as healthcare personnel, civil security officers, teachers, and humanitarian workers worked tirelessly to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of society during hard times,” he said in a statement.
The UAE Pioneer Award was launched by Sheikh Mohammed back in 2014 via the use of the hashtag and “prompted Emiratis to nominate fellow countrymen and women who they believed were pioneers in their respective fields”.
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A couple of months ago the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, feature films, scripted shows and docu-series.
While not too much has been revealed up until now, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first project for the streaming giant will reportedly be about them.

According to UK tabloid The Mail on Sunday, the Sussexes are set to share their side of the story, detailing their year of having stepped down from public royal life.
It’s been reported the couple have their own video footage to share from when they left their home in the UK – Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor Estate.

However, while it will be somewhat a behind-the-scenes, the project will very much focus on the couple’s charity work.
“There will be a fly-on-the-wall series but obviously it won’t be warts and all, or about their personal life,” a source told The Sun.
“They are very keen to highlight their worthy charity work and cameras will film them going from one good cause to another. For example, when they drop food off at food banks – a camera will be there to capture it.”
While the couple have relocated to California, they have ensured to keep up their charity work, helping give food to those who are struggling in the pandemic, discussing mental health issues and advocating for education for young girls, as they did in a recent discussion with Malala Yousafzai.
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If you’re looking into escaping Dubai for an end-of-year getaway or perhaps in a couple of weeks time when the UAE will be having a five-day-long weekend, then these destinations may just fit the bill.
Even better, there’s no need to quarantine when you get there as the UAE is on the no quarantine list.
United Kingdom

With many British expats living the UAE, it was welcomed news to know the UAE is no longer on the quarantine list, making it a lot easier to go and visit family and friends. While there is currently no quarantine time, the UK is currently in a second lockdown, so it may be wise to hold off on travelling just yet, but this is set to be lifted on December 2 in time for the Christmas season.
Switzerland

If you truly fancy a white Christmas or just a true winter in general, then you’ll be please to know those residing in the UAE no longer have to quarantine when travelling to Switzerland. However, note that the European/Schengen states (to which Switzerland belongs) still have entry regulations in place for certain nationalities/residents. It’s, therefore, necessary to check the requirements before making a booking.
The Maldives

With flydubai having relaunched their flights to the Maldives, now is the perfect time to make a visit to the luxurious paradise. With a negative COVID-19 PCR test required and the country’s ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ – which has been endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – you can be rest assured health and safety are being followed to the highest standards.
The Seychelles

Basque in the crystal clear waters of the Seychelles, a country which reopened its borders to UAE residents on August 31. All you need to travel there is a negative PCR test and to undergo a second test on your fifth night of your holiday.
Egypt

With similar rules in place to the UAE – face masks being worn in public at all times and social distancing measures – Egypt is currently allowing residents from the country to travel there without the need to quarantine. You need to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result which has been issued within 72 hours of departure and it must be shown in paper format. Valid COVID-19 insurance is also mandatory, and incoming passengers will need to undergo another health screening upon arrival into the country.
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