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The World Stands Still But Dubai Is Busy With Tourists – Here’s How They Pulled It Off

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People all over the world are in awe of Dubai, and rightly so.

While Europe and the US enter the third round of strict lockdown restrictions, Dubai remains open.

After one of the strictest lockdowns placed on any city, (when we were required to apply for permits simply to leave home) in June, Dubai did a swift turnaround.

‘Dubai is open’ was the messaging Emirates used in a promo video to entice the world to come and visit. And it worked like a charm. Whether it’s the guaranteed sunshine, the vibrant restaurant scene, the luxury hotels, or endless shopping, Dubai is the sweet spot holiday destination for celebrities, athletes and influencers. And the world is paying attention. In this week alone, Financial Times, The Independent, and BBC, to name just a few, shone a light on Dubai and people are mystified.

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What did Dubai do differently?

Thanks to stringent health protocols, Dubai is a travel hotspot that’s deemed safe. Here’s how

Masks have been part of our lives from day one

Masks became mandatory in Dubai in April. You can buy medical masks and cloth masks at every mall, pharmacy and supermarket in Dubai. Prices didn’t get hiked. They’ve quickly become part of daily life, and we adapted. We learned to live our ‘new normal’, we accessorise with face masks, and now, thanks to continuous updates from authorities, we know better than anyone the difference between surgical masks and N-95s.

There are some exceptions, kids under the age of 6 are not expected to wear masks, neither are people of determination, if you’re eating or drinking at restaurants or if you’re exercising rigorously. But for the most part, people stick to the rule (or face an AED3,000 fine).

 

 

Temperature checks and thermal scanning everywhere you go

Despite the government removing the requirement of temperature checks at commercial entryways and enclosed spaces, many restaurants and hotels will still check your temperature on arrival. This wasn’t just a feature at upmarket malls and high-end hotels, even local corner shops followed the practice. Dragon Mart, a massive commercial market, used thermal scanning to efficiently check the temperature of all visitors, making it impossible for anyone with a fever to enter.

Efficient testing systems enviable the world over

Cheap and efficient testing, and one of the highest testing rates in the world, has been part and parcel of the effective battle against the spread of the virus. A National Home Testing Programme was quickly introduced in April, giving everyone in the community safe access to testing facilities.

Personally, I had four tests in Dubai. I’ve used a drive-thru service twice, took a test at Mall of the Emirates once and I visited a clinic. In either case, I was travelling, or I had close contact with a positive test and was therefore required to get a test.

Each time, I got the results in little more than 24 hours. Access to tests, multiple testing options, and speed of results, have proved crucial in the battle against COVID.

The show must go on – Dubai celebrated the New Year in a whole new way

In many cities, streets were empty for New Year’s Eve, but in Dubai, the dawn of the new year was a celebration unlike any other.

Thousands of people descended on Downtown Dubai for a firework and light show. The socially-distanced markings in the city centre were hard to miss, but what revellers might not have spotted were the field hospitals and first aid units arranged nearby and the tireless efforts by frontline workers to ensure celebrations went off without a hitch.

The successful rollout of vaccinations

As of now, over 1 million vaccinations have been distributed. Front line workers, people of determination and people with chronic diseases were first up on the priority list.

The Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines are currently available, and the UAE is the second-highest country in the world for vaccine distribution, based on the total number of vaccination doses administered per 100 people in the total population. Israel tops the list, and following the UAE is Bahrain, the US and Denmark.

It’s available at numerous facilities across Dubai and you can book via the Dubai Health Authority app or by the SEHA app. Or, you can call 800 342 (DHA) and follow the instructions. The process is incredible and in line with efforts to vaccinate the entire population and many people are reporting getting the vaccine simply by turning up at a testing site. Incredible.

Dubai has put itself at the forefront of innovation, and both residents and tourists alike trust in the direction of the pandemic recovery

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