Day: January 5, 2022

SHARJAH, In recognition of its efforts to provide a safe experience for travelers, Sharjah Airport has succeeded in obtaining the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) certificate, issued by the Airports Council International (ACI), for the second year in a row. It is the first airport in the United Arab Emirates and the seventh in the Middle East to achieve this.

Sharjah Airport first obtained the certificate in December 2020. Having met the ACI’s requirements and having fulfilled the recommendations of the Aviation Sector Revitalisation Team (CART) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport was again awarded the certificate for 2021.

This came after reviewing the evidence submitted and evaluating the airport’s health measures and the application thereof to operations. As part of the process, Sharjah Airport’s health and safety measures across all its facilities, including the lounge access areas, passport and check-in areas, security checks, stairs, elevators, boarding gates, and parking areas, were evaluated.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority said: “We are pleased to receive this prestigious international accreditation for the second year in a row. It is in line with our efforts to achieve the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to enhance the emirate’s position as a destination which values the health of its residents and visitors, and which provides a safe experience and pioneering services to travelers in line with the recommendations of the Airports Council International.”

He added: “Sharjah Airport is keen to implement health procedures and measures of the highest standard to maintain public health and safety. In addition, it makes a continuous effort, in cooperation with strategic partners, to maintain the safety of travellers, customers, and employees, especially during the unprecedented circumstances related to COVID-19.”

Sharjah Airport Authority continues to strengthen its preventative measures, from the comprehensive sterilisation of all airport buildings, lounges, facilities, devices, luggage trolleys, gates, planes, and corridors leading to them and passenger buses, to the provision of easily accessible sanitising materials to all airport users and workers.

The AHA programme focuses on the airport’s commitment to the health and well-being of travelers, customers and employees, and the quality of airport health procedures in relation to COVID-19, as well as on evaluating the health measures and procedures adopted by the airport in the wake of the pandemic, such as strict cleaning and sanitising practices, and the promotion of social distancing.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 469,028 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 2,708 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 774,897.

According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.

The Ministry added that no COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, and death toll remains unchanged at 2,170.

MoHAP also noted that an additional 743 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 749,254.

Source: Emirates News Agency

KUWAIT, Kuwait has reported 1,482 new COVID-19 cases with no new deaths in the past 24 hours.

The state news agency KUNA quoted the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health as saying that the new cases took the total caseload to 420,796, and death toll remains unchanged at 2,468.

The ministry added that 201 patients have recovered from the virus over the past day, raising the total recoveries to 412,274.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced that 29,880 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered in the past 24 hours.

The total number of doses provided up to today stands at 22,750,991 with a rate of vaccine distribution of 230.03 doses per 100 people.

The vaccination drive is in line with the Ministry’s plan to provide the vaccine to all members of society and acquire immunity, which will help reduce the number of cases and control the spread of the virus.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Official Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, announced that the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has issued guidebook on COVID-19 booster shots, urging all eligible individuals to take the shot six months after their second dose.

During the UAE Government media briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Ghaithi urged people who took the Sinopharm vaccine, especially the most vulnerable categories, such as people with chronic diseases and those aged over 50, to take their booster shot three months after their second dose, adding all other people over the age of 16 should take the booster six months after their second dose.

“For those who received the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine, it is recommended for all individuals aged 18 and above to take their booster shot of the same vaccine six months after taking their second dose, while those who received are required to take the booster shot of either the same or another vaccine six months after taking their second dose,” she added.

Those who took other types of COVID-19 vaccines should head to the nearest vaccination centre to learn the type of booster they are required to take, she stressed.

Dr. Al Ghaithi then pointed out that since the start of the pandemic, the UAE has delivered a distinctive model of flexibility in handling the global health crisis. She noted that the national efforts of federal and local authorities are continuing to ensure the safety of the country’s citizens, residents and visitors alike.

The health sector is continuing its drive to achieve acquired immunity by providing vaccines to eligible categories, she further added, noting that 100 percent of the population have taken their first vaccine dose, while the rate of fully vaccinated individuals reached 92.31 percent.

“Studies have shown vaccine doses and booster shots help significantly reduce the rates of hospitalisation and death and reduce the virus’ mutations into new variants,” she further said.

Booster shots are among the key factors that protect public health and ensure public safety, playing a key role in strengthening collective immunity, she added.

“We urge eligible individuals to take booster shots to protect themselves, especially elderly people and those with chronic diseases, to support the national efforts to contain the pandemic and the variants,” Dr. Al Ghaithi affirmed.

The UAE’s health sector, in coordination with all relevant authorities, is closely monitoring all developments to ensure the community’s safety, she explained. Taking the vaccine does not exempt anyone from complying with relevant precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks, sanitising and respecting social distancing, she continued.

She also urged members of the community to continue taking regular COVID-19 PCR tests, especially before family visits and meeting elderly people, and refrain from handshaking and other forms of physical greetings. The country has adopted a clear and transparent approach to addressing COVID-19 by announcing updates on national media outlets and the official social media platforms of relevant authorities.

She then encouraged members of the community to rely on official sources for information on the pandemic, to avoid rumours and false news.

At the end of the media briefing, Dr. Al Ghaithi highlighted the importance of social responsibility and the key role of community members in maintaining the country’s achievements during the crisis by following guidelines and preventive measures.

Source: Emirates News Agency