Middle East Experience

As the death toll from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise, it’s not easy to find reasons to be cheerful. However, life is not all doom and gloom. The coronavirus lockdown has brought with it a smorgasbord of side effects – and some of them are surprisingly positive.Here are ten of the good things to come out of the coronavirus pandemic.Community spiritDespite the fact that most people are shut away in their homes, many communities have never been closer.Community support groups have sprung up around the world with volunteers doing shopping and picking up prescriptions for the elderly and vulnerable. In the UK, a staggering 750,000 people answered the government’s plea for 250,000 National Health Service volunteers. And in the UAE, residents have organized a buddy system using the hashtag #InThisTogetherUAE, with volunteers offering practical support as well as psychological help, legal advice and careers workshops.And that’s not to mention the community concerts and singalongs that have been taking place from people’s balconies, bringing people together with neighbors they may have never spoken to before.Reduced carbon emissionsAs economies have ground to a halt, so has fossil fuel usage. Carbon emissions are set to decrease by 8 percent in 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic causes the biggest shock to the global energy system in over 70 years, according to the International Energy Agency.In China, the country with the world’s biggest carbon footprint, emissions were cut by a quarter.The decrease has led to reports of cleaner air in locations across the world.Read more: Before and after coronavirus: As humans lockdown, the planet air clearsFocus on essential workersSupermarket cashiers, shelf-stackers and delivery drivers are not generally thought of as heroes. But the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential roles played by key workers who we all depend on.Across Europe, people locked in their houses have been applauding their medical staff and other key workers who are continuing to go to work despite the health risks. Suddenly, these often low paid workers are getting the appreciation they deserve.Read more: Coronavirus: Dubai residents clap, cheer for health aid workers from their balconiesAccess to culture without having to travelAlways wanted to go to the Met in New York but never managed to get there? Well now you can wander through its exhibitions without paying for a flight and hotel, thanks to a free online virtual tour.With potential visitors stuck at home under coronavirus lockdowns, museums across the world are offering the chance to take a virtual look round their exhibits.Why not soak up the Rembrandts at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, take a look around the Louvre or even climb the steps of Mayan ruins Chichén-Itzá in Mexico thanks to the British Museum.Read more: Five reasons you should book that dream holiday - and five reasons to waitPeople are sleeping betterData from Fitbit users in six US cities shows that people are getting an average of 17 minutes more sleep each night during the coronavirus lockdown than they were before the pandemic hit. The health tracking tech company also shows that sleep quality has improved with users getting more REM and Deep Sleep.Changes in working habitsMany workers have taken their office jobs home with them and are now fulfilling the same role from the safety of their home.While some jobs cannot be replicated online, many people are saving time and money by not travelling. Whether it’s an hour’s daily commute or frequent business meetings around the world, that travel time adds up and can now be spent getting more work done or just relaxing.Changes in working habits may also encourage employers to switch from outdated business models that are over reliant on face-to-face meetings and fixed working hours. Technology such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams gives the potential for more streamlined workflow and productivity – without those unnecessary meetings.Read more: 7 tips for working from home during the coronavirus pandemicPeople are more in touch with friends and familyWhile many are spending the coronavirus pandemic alone and unable to meet up with anyone in person, others have reported being more in touch with their friends and family than before. Furloughed workers may suddenly have found themselves with more time on their hands, while others might be reminded of the importance of family and friends in this time of crisis.Thankfully, internet technologies have meant that many people have been able to reconnect with their loved ones online.And while social events on online platforms like Zoom may never quite replicate the feeling of seeing someone in person, they have their advantages. Zoom gatherings, for example, can easily get large groups of people together without anyone having to host, or any restrictions like how far away someone lives. They can also be attended from the comfort of your own home – without having to dress up and commute.Read more: ‘Communicate with the people you love’ while in coronavirus lockdown: PsychologistBreak in routine, time to restructure lifeIt’s commonly thought that time spent alone provides an opportunity to stop and reflect. With social distancing measures limiting people’s lives, it is a good time to have a think about what really matters.Psychology shows that people are more open to habit changes at times of upheaval, so the COVID-19 lockdown is a good window for making lifestyle changes. Whether it’s pursuing a new career, moving to the countryside or focusing on your family, now’s the time to make that move.Read more: Ramadan in coronavirus lockdown: Psychologists answer questions on mental healthClearer waterwaysAlongside the reduction in pollution, clearer waters have also been spotted in locations across the globe.Venice’s waterways are clearer than they have been for years as the lockdown has halted traffic in the usually busy canals. Schools of fish have been spotted in waters that in normal times are too cloudy to see the bottom of.However, experts have warned that this isn’t an indication of less-polluted water, but is caused by sediment that is normally stirred up by frequent boats settling to the riverbeds.Read more: Coronavirus lockdown reveals fresh air, clean rivers in IndiaThe internet is improvingInternet usage has rocketed under lockdown, up 25 percent in major cities between January and late-March, according to Cloudflare. In some respects, this means that people are struggling with slower Wi-Fi and reduced picture quality on videos.However, the sudden increase in demand is forcing rapid upgrades to internet services. Netflix is installing more servers, data caps are being cut and mobile data packages made cheaper or even free – providing easier entertainment than ever, despite being stuck at home.Read more:Five reasons you should book that dream holiday - and five reasons to waitCoronavirus: It’s safe to fly again, says Southwest Airlines CEOTop 10 activities people are dreaming of post-lockdown
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Ten good things to come out of the coronavirus pandemic

Dubai has warned shops to stop promotions and sales, and halt all return and exchange policies in a measure to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.Dubai Economy on Twitter listed several other measures that businesses should put in place, including wearing of masks and gloves, shutting clothes fitting rooms, and placing social distancing stickers within the shop.Dubai allowed shops and malls that were closed under the emirate’s lockdown to reopen at the beginning of Ramadan, but implemented strict new regulations including requiring staff and customers to wear face masks and banning promotional offers. The DED has since been carrying out daily inspections, issuing fines and closing stores that violate the regulations.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.The emirate has been inspecting shops to make sure they are complying with coronavirus precautions.On Monday, Dubai Economy closed down two shops, issued warnings to 81 more, and imposed a fine on one other, while last week saw significantly higher numbers of closures.On Sunday, April 26, authorities shut down 21 shops and warned 65 others for noncompliance. The shops were located in the same areas of “Old Dubai.” On Monday the number rose to 26 shut and 234 warned, with a further 13 closed and 211 more warned on Tuesday.The trend continued the following day, with nine stores closed, 18 fined and 176 warned, and Thursday with 19 shops closed and 165 more warned.The UAE reported seven new deaths from the coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the country’s total death toll to 126. Over 14,000 have been infected with the virus, with 2,663 recoveries.Read more:Coronavirus: Dubai closes two shops, issues 81 warnings over lockdown easing rulesDubai’s Expo 2020 officially postponed until October 1, 2021 amid coronavirusCoronavirus: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan hails fight against COVID-19
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Dubai warns shops to stop sales, return policies to combat COVID-19

Saudi Arabia's National Health Emergency Operations Center (NHEOC) in the capital Riyadh has been turned into a command and control room at the heart of authorities’ fight against the coronavirus pandemic.The center is responsible for orchestrating and implementing the health ministry’s disaster and crisis management operations.Employees of the operations center receive emergency calls, monitor cases, and follow up on potential cases."In the last two weeks, more than a quarter of a million [people] have been examined and a quarter of this number, which means more than 60,000, have given nose swabs," said Dr. Mohammed al-Abdulaali, the spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Health.Saudi Arabia had 28,656 coronavirus cases as of Monday, May 4. The death tolls stood at 191."Precautions and hygiene measures will continue for a long period of time. We will keep applying them, and going out will be for necessary matters only, while avoiding gatherings. This is a very important thing. We all share the same responsibility," added Dr. al-Abdulaali.Read more:Saudi Arabia says unlicensed ‘Kingdom Island’ project is not part of Vision 2030Saudi Arabia tests new ‘Tawakkalna’ app aimed at managing curfew permitsSaudi Arabia will not allow group prayers until it’s safe, ministry saysWith AFP
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: A look inside the coronavirus emergency operation center in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh

Saudi Arabia reported 1,645 new coronavirus cases and seven new deaths, raising the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 28,656 and the virus-related death toll to 191, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page. Seven non-Saudi residents living in Mecca and Jeddah died of the virus, health ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Abd al-Ali said.Out of the newly detected cases, non-Saudis make up 81 percent, while Saudi citizens make up 19 percent.According to al-Abd al-Ali, females made up 13 percent of the new infections, and males made up 87 percent.The new cases were detected in cities and provinces across the Kingdom, he added.Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries in Saudi Arabia rose to 4,476.Al-Abd al-Ali advised the public to adhere to preventative measures, such as social distancing and regularly washing their hands, to protect themselves against the virus.Read more:Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour lockdown on 2nd Industrial City in DammamSaudi Arabia easing coronavirus lockdowns doesn’t mean danger has passed: Minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia’s death toll rises to 191 as total cases climb to 28,656 

Ministry of Education stopped work following discovery of Covid-19 case
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Coronavirus: Kuwait confirms 295 new cases, two more deaths

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists his government should spearhead the fight against the pandemic and has stymied relief efforts in opposition-held cities, forcing local officials to come up with creative ways to deliver aid.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey’s politicians spar over masks, bread in coronavirus response

Employees must also wear masks and gloves at all times, while social distancing stickers should be clearly displayed
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Dubai shops warned against promotions and sales during Ramadan

Regular to concentrate on 2018 financial statements of troubled UAE-based healthcare provider
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: UK's Financial Reporting Council to investigate Ernst & Young's auditing of NMC Health

CEO Sahar Cooper has also revealed plans to recruit more Emirati teachers
Source: Arabian Business
Full Article: Abu Dhabi's Aldar Education looking to expand into affordable segment

It is one of the main parts of a sweeping economic plan the government says will help save Lebanon from bankruptcy, but that was not enough to satisfy angry protesters..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon signs request for IMF assistance