UAE citizens abroad with Covid-19 symptoms, virus should inform embassy

UAE citizens and residents who intend to travel to low-risk countries must adhere to certain compulsory measures and fill a form, pledging to travel only to destinations mentioned there, officials have urged.

Additionally, UAE citizens who might develop Covid-19 symptoms and/or test positive while abroad, should inform the UAE embassy and seek medical help.

“UAE citizens and residents will have to register and apply via http://smartservices.ica.gov.ae prior to traveling. We advise individuals who have chronic health diseases as well as the elderly above 70 years old not to travel,” said Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesperson for National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).

“Upon returning from a trip abroad, a PCR test must be performed and travellers must adhere to quarantine for 14 days, which could be reduced to seven days if returning from low risk destinations or for professionals working in vital sectors,” he added.

People eligible to travel must check with airlines and travel agents about the regulations in the destinations they are to travel to. A PCR test might be required 48 prior to traveling by the authorities at the destination, the spokesperson noted.

The UAE reported 402 new Covid-19 cases on July 1, as a result of an additional 62,028 tests conducted by health authorities to screen for the virus.

The total number of cases has now risen to 49,069.

The death toll stands at 316, with one additional death of a Covid-19 patient.

Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries has reached 38,160, with 594 cases recovered on July 1 after receiving treatment. The currently infected cases of Covid-19 undergoing treatment tally 10,593.

The latest update of #Coronavirus (#COVID19) in the #UAE#We_Are_All_Responsible#YouAreResponsible pic.twitter.com/Q9tUT8J54T

— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) July 1, 2020

Dr. Amna Al Shamsi, UAE Government spokesperson, confirmed that more than 3.5 million tests have been conducted by UAE health authorities to date, while since the beginning of June, UAE has had a daily recovery average of 654 cases, up from 500 cases in May.

Also, the new cases went down from a daily average of 712 in May to 470 in June, she added.

Salem Al Zaabi, acting director of the Federal Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Prosecution, meanwhile, urged UAE citizens and residents to adhere to the precautionary measures and guidelines in place to protect themselves and safeguard public health.

Violators will be subject to legal action as per UAE Law, he added.

Meanwhile Dr. Farida Al Hosani, health sector spokesperson confirmed that patients who recovered from the Covid-19 may face long-term effects on their health and they might differ from a person to another.