Abu Dhabi Archives • Middle East 24/7

UAE Study Highlights COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy, Impact on Preventing Hospitalization

As more countries are rolling out their national vaccination campaigns against COVID-19, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre recently released a study, revealing that taking the COVID-19 vaccine is 93% effective in preventing hospitalization.

It also noted that vaccines prevent hospital admission for intensive care among individuals who got infected after taking both jabs.

Vaccination Against COVID-19 Reduces Hospitalization Rate by 93% – Abu Dhabi Study

Furthermore, the study noted that immunity against Covid-19 is best achieved through vaccination and adhering to precautionary measures, and is multifaceted and not limited to the presence of antibodies. The study also found that immunity is not assured after infection, Gulf Today reported.

And then there’s also the fact that the risk of contracting COVID-19 increases as the virus mutates and that the chances of the virus mutating increase with its spread. As of this writing, there are several strains that have already been identified across the world.

It is also likely that after contracting Covid-19, even if the symptoms are mild, the infection may lead to long-term health complications.

The recent study also tackled the dangerous notion of the ‘post-Covid-19 syndrome’, which may affect some senior citizens, people with chronic diseases, and even healthy individuals. It noted that complications include damage to multiple organs, blood clots, and other complications that may require long-term medical attention.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reminds everyone, whether vaccinated or not, to follow all the precautionary measures set by their respective governments.

As the vaccines are steadily being rolled out in a bid to establish herd immunity, authorities continue to remind everyone: “Avoid physical contact, including shaking hands, hugging, or kissing when greeting, and only wave your hand from a sufficient distance of not less than two metres when greeting.”

Abu Dhabi, Dubai Among Top 5 Destinations for Work Abroad

Abu Dhabi, Dubai Named Among Top 5 Destinations for Work Abroad

Known to many global citizens as one of the most expat-friendly cities in the world, Dubai, has once again proven its popularity and appeal as it emerged as one of the top picks among expats looking for work.

The result is based on the in-depth study of the Boston Consultation Group and the Global Recruitment Alliance, ‘Decoding Global Talents: Live and Virtual’.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi Make the List of Top 5 Destinations for Overseas Work

According to Mashable, Dubai’s diverse demographic, which highlights the emirate’s sparkly white beaches, rich cultural tapestry, and booming culinary and nightlife scene that make the Emirati capital a prime destination for professionals from all corners of the globe.

Pierre Antebi, co-managing director of The Network and one of the report’s authors in comments noted, “Hiring people from other countries is not a new practice for employers. But the trend of remote working makes it possible to do it on a broader scale and expand the available talent pool. There’s also an upside for workers, who can advance their careers without uprooting their lives.”

The in-depth report took three months to complete where 209,000 respondents in 190 countries participated.

Dubai ranked third behind London and Amsterdam, while Berlin and Abu Dhabi ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

The report, however, noted a drop in the percentage of people willing to move abroad for work – down to 50% from 63%.

Despite this, it also revealed that people in the Middle East and North Africa are the biggest exception to the declining interest in working abroad.

Gas Explosion in Restaurant in Abu Dhabi, UAE

A gas explosion occurred in a restaurant in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi on Monday – 31st August 2020. The blast happened in a restaurant on Sheik Rashid Bin Saeed Road. Cases of minor and moderate injuries are being treated in hospital. However there were 2 victims who lost their lives.

According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the Rapid Intervention Teams of the Emergency and Public Safety Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police responded to a gas explosion that took place at a restaurant in a building on Rashid bin Saeed Street in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The Command and Control Centre in Abu Dhabi received a report on Monday morning about an explosion in a restaurant. Immediately, the Rapid Intervention Teams rushed to the sport and safely evacuated the residents of the building, who sustained some minor to medium injuries, and cordoned off the area to ensure the safety of the public.

Abu Dhabi Police have said the injured have been transferred to the hospital for treatment.

Abu Dhabi Media Office shared updates on social media regarding the incident as they developed. They mentioned that Abu Dhabi Police received a report of an explosion was received at the operations centre this morning. Rapid intervention teams from the Emergency and Public Safety Department from Abu Dhabi Police’s Al Fallah centre immediately attended the scene.

UNFORTUNATELY, TWO VICTIMS LOST THEIR LIVES – ONE NEAR THE SITE OF THE INCIDENT, AND A SECOND PASSER-BY WHO WAS HIT BY DEBRIS. WE EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FAMILIES, GOD REST THEIR SOULS.

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMEDIAOFFICE) AUGUST 31, 2020

Teams are evacuating residents from the building safely, and cordoning off the area to ensure people’s safety.

The relevant departments are dealing with the situation directly. We urge people to avoid spreading rumours, and to use official news sources.

Abu Dhabi Police has evacuated all residents from the building safely with no injuries. Relevant teams are arranging temporary accommodation for residents until the building’s safety is assured.

According to on-site investigations, the incident was caused by a misalignment in the gas container fittings following refueling.

Unfortunately, two victims lost their lives – one near the site of the incident, and a second passer-by who was hit by debris. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, God rest their souls.

Rapid intervention teams from the Emergency and Public Safety Department from Abu Dhabi Police are working to carry out a comprehensive checkup of the building and neighbouring buildings to ensure that there are no further injuries, and to ensure residents’ safety.

Abu Dhabi Police is currently dealing with an explosion in the city caused by a gas installation in a restaurant in a building on Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed street, the explosion resulted in minor to moderate injuries, which are transferred to hospital – Abu Dhabi Police

The rapid intervention teams in the Directorate of Emergency and Public Safety of Abu Dhabi Police are currently dealing with an explosion expected to be caused by gas extensions Monday at a restaurant in a building in Rashid bin Saeed Street in Abu Dhabi, which resulted in minor-to-medium injuries and was taken to the hospital to receive treatment I’m sorry.

A report was received to the O.R. this morning regarding an explosion in a restaurant and immediately the rapid intervention teams at Al-Falah Center in the Directorate of Emergency and Public Safety of Abu Dhabi Police and the teams are currently underway in evacuating residents safely from the building and Circling the place to ensure the safety of the public.

Below are posts on social media regarding the said incident:

THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT HAPPENED IN ABU DHABI AND MY FAMILY LIVES NEAR THE PLACE ?? PIC.TWITTER.COM/QOHM0PNW4R

— ??????⁷ (@TAESTYJMK) AUGUST 31, 2020

Doing This at Accident Sites in Abu Dhabi Can Land You in Jail or Fined AED 150K

Doing This at Road Accident Sites in Abu Dhabi Can Land you in Jail or Fined of up to AED 150,000

Road accidents are among the top causes of deaths in the UAE. It is for this reason that authorities are expanding their measures to effectively address this situation and to limit the cases of deaths due to accidents on the road.

Furthermore, another issue that authorities have looked into is their emergency response system, which could spell life or death for victims of accidents. It is, therefore, crucial for responders to get right on the scene of the accident, or to transport victims to medical facilities as efficiently as they can.

Posting Photos of Accidents Could Land You in Jail or Fined AED 150K in Abu Dhabi

Owing to this, the government has reiterated that posting photographs or videos of accidents in the UAE on social media sites could lead to jail and a fine of up to AED150,000 ($40,800) under the country’s cybercrime law, as shared in a report by the Arabian Business.

Furthermore, anyone found obstructing or blocking roads near accidents sites may be dealt with an AED 1,000 ($270) fine.

In line with this, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued warnings on social media and said that the circulation of accident images “is deemed an irresponsible behaviour among citizens, which violates a person’s privacy and human dignity. It is also a violation of the law”.

The ministry added, “Taking pictures of accident scenes and sharing them online is against the UAE’s values derived from the Islamic concept of tolerance.”

For their part, the police pointed out that not only do people crowding around crash sites cause extra stress for those involved, they also hinder emergency services attending to the scene.

According to Brigadier Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaili, director of traffic patrols at Abu Dhabi Police, “Crowding and taking photos at accident sites could delay the work of traffic patrols, ambulances and civil defence vehicles, which will result in worsening the condition of the injured or may even cause fatalities.”

Al Khaili called this as “uncivilized behaviour”, and reminded all residents to consider the consequences of their actions, which may endanger their lives as well as the lives of others.

The reminder should be taken to heart, as it’s common to find passers-by crowding accident sites, and even making it difficult for authorities and medical personnel to render help to those who were involved, and may be in a serious condition.

ALSO READ: UAE Police Caution Residents Against Heatstroke

Qasr Al Watan Presidential Library in Abu Dhabi: A Journey into the UAE

The United Arab Emirates has taken pride of its rich cultural history, diversity, and unique journey into getting where it is today.

As there are far too many beautiful places to visit in the country, visitors starting this year can list a new itinerary they can explore (perhaps) for the first time in the UAE with the opening of the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace Library.

Here’s What You Need to Know about Qasr Al Watan Presidential Library in Abu Dhabi

With its recent opening last March 11^th, the Qasr Al Watan Library has become the latest addition to Abu Dhabi’s major cultural and tourism assets.

What’s also amazing about the grand public library, is the fact that it is housed in the centre of the Presidential Palace, which is now among the few open-to-public presidential palaces in the whole world. Wow!

If you’ve been to any countries in the Middle East and have seen their mosques, or important places of worship, you can expect that the Presidential Palace would not be any lower in terms of structural standard and quality.

Inside the palace, you will be welcomed into a library which features a whopping collection of at least 50,000 titles on different branches of science, as well as a wide range of literature regarding the UAE, which have all been curated for 35 years until now.

The library also provides access to reference materials on historical and geographic topics, as well as to the UAE’s social, political, cultural, and economic development of today.

Of note, guests can also get access to the government’s extensive collection of legislative material, official and historical documents, as well as on the history of the Middle East.

The library also offers an integrated reading experience, as materials are offered in both Arabic and English, as well as other languages.

Through a membership programme, members can borrow copied materials and other resources, for which titles can be found online on the Qasr Al Watan’s official website.

Other than the library, guests can go on a tour, dine, and purchase souvenir items at the Visitor Centre, as well as enjoy a light and sound show at the Presidential Palace.

The Palace is open daily, from 10 am to 8 pm. Guests can opt for a Garden Ticket only, which would allow you entry to the Palace Garden and Visitor Centre only, OR a Palace and Garden Ticket, for which you get additional access to the Main Palace, exhibits, public areas, and all zones within the premise.

Here are the ticket prices for each adult or junior visitor:

Garden Only Ticket: AED 25 (Adult) / AED 12 (Junior)
Palace and Garden Ticket: AED 60 (Adult) / AED 30 (Junior)

Moreover, guests can opt to upgrade their Palace and Garden Ticket with a Guided Tour, for an additional standard fee. Guided tours are directed every 30 minutes by an in-house Palace tour guide.

Prices are as follows:

Standard Guided Tour (English/Arabic): AED 30
Private Guided Tour (English/Arabic): AED 600

For more information on promotions and special offers, you may refer to the following information:

QASR AL WATAN

Location: Al Ras Al Akhdar – Abu Dhabi
PO Box 128717
United Arab Emirates

Here is a Google Map location for your reference:

Contact Details

Tel No: +971 600 544442

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: https://qasralwatan.ae/

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Other than witnessing one of the UAE’s monumental landmark buildings, a trip to the Qasr Al Qatan Library will also give visitors an insight into the country’s rich historical and political heritage, that, in itself, is an experience surely not to be missed!