Emirates reasserts leadership in response to COVID-19 pandemic

"Since the beginning of the temporary crisis of the COVID-19, the Government of the United Arab Emirates has followed a rigorous strategy and acted outside the framework of traditional actions, inside and outside the country, which has led to making the UAE one of the countries that has been best able to control the crisis at economic, solidarity, humanitarian and medical levels, according to reports from world organizations. All the teams and departments of the UAE Government, together with the scientific authorities in the country, are working tirelessly to alleviate the impact of the temporary crisis of the COVID-19 and to play an effective role in the global fight against the pandemic," said the Embassy of the Gulf country in Spain. 

The data justify the words: with a population of more than nine million people, only 16,240 cases have been diagnosed - as of May 7. 3,572 patients have already recovered and more than 1.3 million diagnostic tests have been carried out, making the UAE one of the world's leading testers per capita.

In this regard, it should be noted that the country has opened a massive testing centre in which more than 10,000 people work every day, with the aim of testing the entire population. Other actions that confirm its leadership are the continuous sending of aid to other nations, located in Europe, Africa and Asia to fight the coronavirus. In the last week, the countries that have benefited from the Emirati cooperation have been Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Guinea, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe and Botswana. In total, the UAE has delivered more than 455 tonnes of aid to over 41 countries, providing assistance to more than 455,000 medical professionals worldwide.

"UAE has sent aid to almost ten countries a week. It is our duty to our brothers, our allies and friends, because we see that they are going through a difficult situation," said Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed. "The UAE is an alert and committed player in the fight against COVID-19, and will continue to work tirelessly at the forefront of the global response to this malicious and relentless threat," said Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy. The Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, has also said: "UAE continues to lead the response to global crises, and especially now with COVID-19. The new air bridge in Dubai will help us to accelerate the response of the international community and will certainly help us to save lives. Thank you to the UAE for your critical partnership".

A novel stem cell treatment to combat the disease is also being researched in Abu Dhabi and is expected to be ready within three months. 

In addition, the UAE is leading repatriation missions around the globe, which are benefiting Indian nationals working and residing in the Gulf country. Before they leave for their home country, they are tested for COVID-19.

In view of the de-escalation plan presented by the Emirati Government, two measures stand out: on the one hand, all restaurants in the capital, Abu Dhabi, will be able to reopen and operate at reduced capacity and under strict security measures. On the other hand, children and people over 60 will not be able to enter shopping centres, supermarkets or stores. 

It should be recalled at this point that it has also been decided to postpone Expo Dubai 2020, which will now take place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. 

For his part, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, has called for greater commitment from the Middle East and the rest of the international community in general to eradicate the coronavirus pandemic: "The region, like all regions in the world, is going to be further weakened financially and politically. We should rethink our development models, about de-escalation and try to solve the problems".