Life

It’s now been four months since Dubai experienced a citywide 24-hour lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then the emirate, along with the rest of the UAE, has come along leaps and bounds in the fight against the virus.
Borders have begun to open, flight numbers are increasing and slowly but surely life is returning to somewhat normal for many.

In terms of COVID-19 numbers for the UAE, four incredibly positive things have happened in the last 24 hours.
Firstly, for the first time since April, the number of daily cases dipped below 200. Secondly, there have been zero deaths from the virus reported in the last three days.

In the latest press briefing by the UAE government for COVID-19, a spokesperson outlined how the strategy to increase testing across the nation has proven to be successful, with over five million tests having been carried out thus far – a figure which is one of the highest in the world.
In a final bit of positive news for the fight against COVID-19 in the UAE, it’s been confirmed that 90 per cent of cases in the country have now recovered.

Al Owais: Early detection and treatment of Covid-19 cases has been a key in raising recovery rate. Today, 90% of Covid-19 cases in the country already recovered. Such a recovery rate puts the UAE among the top countries in recovery. #UAEGov
— UAEGov (@uaegov) August 3, 2020

So while to date, there have been 61,163 confirmed cases, 54,863 of those have recovered. Meanwhile, there have been 351 deaths.
However, despite the successes, Dr Omar Al Hammadi, an official spokesperson for the UAE government, stressed during the briefing masks should still be worn at all times and for the public to adhere to social distancing rules, as well as to avoid gatherings.

Dr. Al Hammadi: It is important to continue to wear face mask as it is effective in preventing the infection. However, we should also keep a social distance and avoid gatherings and crowded places. Such preventive measures are more effective when done together. #UAEGov
— UAEGov (@uaegov) August 3, 2020

“Such preventive measures are more effective when done together,” he said.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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In another history-making move for Saudi Arabia, three female cultural attaches have been appointed, which is a first for the nation.
The appointment was made by the Education Minister for the Kingdom, Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, who determined the new positions of the three Saudi women, all of whom are educators, according to the nation’s state news agency.

Fahda bint Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has been appointed as cultural attache in Ireland; Dr. Amal bint Jameel Fatani has been appointed cultural attache in the UK; and Dr. Yusra bint Hussain Al-Jazairi has been appointed as acting cultural attache in Morocco.

#وزير_التعليم يصدر قرارات تكليف عدد من الملحقين الثقافيين في دول خليجية وعربية وصديقة من بينهم ثلاث سيدات؛ يتقلدن هذا المنصب للمرة الأولى، وذلك تمكيناً للمرأة السعودية لخدمة وطنها وقيادتها.https://t.co/CoFDoNU8HJ pic.twitter.com/scGn1VQSGZ
— وزارة التعليم – جامعي (@mohe_sa) August 2, 2020

Three other appointments for cultural attaches were also made – Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Al-Furaih for Egypt; Dr. Issa bin Fahd Al-Rumaih for Jordan; and Dr. Saad bin Mohammed Al-Shabana for Kuwait.
READ: ‘Historical’ court ruling in Saudi Arabia will benefit equality for women
This latest appointment of the three female cultural attaches is just one of the many things have changed for women in the last few years in the Kingdom, since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2017.
Under his Vision 2030 initiative, an ambitious post-oil economic plan, there has been a major focus on women’s rights in the Kingdom.
Just three months after he stepped into the role in 2017, the Crown Prince revealed in a royal decree, women would be able to secure driving licenses from June 2018.
Then, in March 2018, it was announced by the Ministry of Justice that women who are divorced in the country would be able to instantly retain custody of their children.
Under his plans, women are now also able to attend sports events in stadiums in three cities, female students in the Kingdom are now allowed to carry their phones while on campus and as of August 2019, women aged over 21 are now allowed to travel independently.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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Air travel has significantly changed in the last few months, and since August 1 passengers coming into Dubai have to obtain a negative PCR test before flying.
Luckily, Emirates has continued to make it as easy as possible for Dubai bound travellers and has now added more approved testing centres from around the world to its original list where a PCR nasal swab can be done.

It’s a significant increase, making the whole process a lot smoother. Note that your negative test has to be obtained 96 hours before flying to Dubai.
According to the release, passengers travelling from the UK can use any NHS clinic or laboratory “but the PCR test has to be approved by the Public Health authority e.g. Public Health England, Wales or Scotland”.

Those flying in from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh can get their negative test certificate from a facility approved by Pure Health.

Test requirement is applied to anyone flying into Dubai, whether as a tourist, resident, or connecting passenger, and you can check out the full list here.
Those coming from these 29 countries will need to have an additional test done upon landing in Dubai and self-isolate until they receive their results.
Emirates can also assist residence visa holders with acquiring the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) before booking their flight back.
Children under the age of 12 or with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from PCR testing.
Keep an eye on the Emirates website for more helpful information, including a recent announcement that the airline is now offering free cover for COVID-19 medical costs.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid recently celebrated a milestone in their relationship, their one year anniversary, and now the couple have just reached another milestone – adopting a new “tiny best friend”.
The pair took to Instagram to share they had adopted a rescue puppy named Dexter, posting some adorable photos of their new addition to their family.

“Our tiny best friend Dexter!!!” the singer said. “Thank you @thelabellefoundation HE’S PERFECT.”

Posting some more photos on his Instagram, Hadid referred to their new puppy as “our spirit companion”, adding that “some things are just meant [to] be”.

The couple began dating in June last year but didn’t go public with their relationship until about a month later.
Hadid, 20, and Lipa, 24, were previously self-isolating together in the singer’s hometown of London due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it appears the couple are now in the USA as they have been seen with Hadid’s siblings Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, who were quarantining together in Pennsylvania.
Speaking on her time in quarantine with her boyfriend, British-Albanian singer Lipa told Good Morning Britain she and Hadid were “used to making anywhere a home”.
“We travel a lot, so this is fine,” she explained. “It’s been really, really good. We’re good at doing our things, then coming together when we want to watch a movie or play a game or do some painting or go on our daily walk.”
Well, their daily walks will be even better now they have a loyal pooch to join them.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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Twitter was overwhelmed with emotional reactions to Elissa’s latest, and possibly last, album.
The Lebanese singer dropped the 18-track compilation on August 1 titled Sahbit Raey– translates to ‘Opinion Giver’.

Met with widespread love for the artist, many have shared their thoughts on social media, including TV personality Zaven who wrote:
“So much story telling. So much emotions. So much love. So modern. So sweet and so bitter. It’s not a farewell as it might sound. It is a story of a woman who is starting over. #صاحبة_رأي #اليسا love it. Alf mabrouk. @elissakh”

Beirut… it all goes back to you ❤️I am very happy with the feedback I am getting on the album, and it makes me so happy to show that Lebanese people have the power to overcome everything to live in peace and happiness. To my lovely country Lebanon 🇱🇧
— Elissa (@elissakh) August 1, 2020

Sahbit Raey is available through Rotana Music’s YouTube channel and streaming platform Deezer, and follows the release of its lead single ‘Sahbit Raey’ a week ago.
Elissa was quick to respond to her fans on Twitter, writing: “I am very happy with the feedback I am getting on the album, and it makes me so happy to show that Lebanese people have the power to overcome everything to live in peace and happiness. To my lovely country Lebanon.”
This album release is something that the fans have been waiting for, especially after she announced last year that this could be her last album, saying:
“I am preparing this new album with a lot of love and passion. The reason is that it will be the last one in my career.”

I am preparing this new album with a lot of love and passion. The reason is that it will be the last one in my career. I am announcing this with a heavy heart but with a lot of conviction because I can’t work in a field that is similar to mafias. I can’t be productive anymore
— Elissa (@elissakh) August 19, 2019

She then went on to explain that she can’t continue to work in an industry that in her eyes is like the ‘mafia’.
Officially the most popular Arabic singer after reaching 10 million Twitter followers, she has sold over 30 million albums, and received the World Music Award for Best Selling Middle Eastern Artist on three occasions.
– For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
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