What the Gulf nations can learn from UAE’s Covid-19 combat plan

UAE’

s Covid-19

combat plan

helped the nation sail through the hardest splash of

coronavirus wave. The nation was quick in implementing few measures to mitigate the

impact of pandemic outbreak. It emphasised on actively reaching out the community

members and increasing testing to detect and treat more individuals. Besides, the nation

ensured equal access to medical facilities to all its residents including both nationals and

non-nationals.

In order to provide economic and medical relief to its residents, especially the migrant

workers, UAE government made sure that the workers

obtained their

wage

s even if they

were not working (due to coronavirus infection) and were receiving proper treatment.

The nation, where population comprises about 90% foreigners, was quick to realise the

need to ensure their economic, mental and physical safety. The UAE’s federal

government implemented a rule giving the workers the option of taking an early leave,

which allowed them to return to their country on

temporar

y basis until the end of the

crisis. It saved many from the nightmare of losing their livelihood.

As the government approached gradual lifting of the lockdown, it allowed the business to

run with 30% of workforce in one facility along with worker safety and social distancing

norms in place. Besides, the UAE also committed to ensure social distancing in public

transportations. The government strongly believed that the virus, which has brought

global economy to standstill, can be won over by implementing slightly different

strategies, including (a) reduced licensing fees, (b) rent reductions and (c) increased

flexibility with employees as regards the free zones in which individuals are permitted to

work.

Besides

, the country has emerged as a role model for helping other nations in times of

adversity. UAE was not only quick in providing relief to residents at home but was also

among the first few nations to send medical supplies to its neighbours and allies.

Celebrating the true spirit of Ramadan, and observing the Zayed Humanitarian Day

,

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Foreign Affairs Minister, shared the importance of

human giving and philanthropy as a model for the world to follow.

"The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the necessity of prioritising humanitarian work and

ensuring global synergy and concerted action by all countries of the world in the face of

the pandemic," he said

.

Till April alone, the UAE had sent

more than

450 tonnes of aid to Europe, Africa, Asia and

the Americas,

and shipped medical and other supplies to over 30 nations.

Last week, the country sent about seven metric tonnes of aid to Sierra Leona to help

7,000 medical professionals, in addition to

six metric tonnes

of supplies to both Niger and

Mali each, in order to provide much needed assistance to 6,000 medical professionals in

both the nations

UAE’

s Covid-19

combat plan

helped the nation sail through the hardest splash of

coronavirus wave. The nation was quick in implementing few measures to mitigate the

impact of pandemic outbreak. It emphasised on actively reaching out the community

members and increasing testing to detect and treat more individuals. Besides, the nation

ensured equal access to medical facilities to all its residents including both nationals and

non-nationals.

In order to provide economic and medical relief to its residents, especially the migrant

workers, UAE government made sure that the workers

obtained their

wage

s even if they

were not working (due to coronavirus infection) and were receiving proper treatment.

The nation, where population comprises about 90% foreigners, was quick to realise the

need to ensure their economic, mental and physical safety. The UAE’s federal

government implemented a rule giving the workers the option of taking an early leave,

which allowed them to return to their country on

temporar

y basis until the end of the

crisis. It saved many from the nightmare of losing their livelihood.

As the government approached gradual lifting of the lockdown, it allowed the business to

run with 30% of workforce in one facility along with worker safety and social distancing

norms in place. Besides, the UAE also committed to ensure social distancing in public

transportations. The government strongly believed that the virus, which has brought

global economy to standstill, can be won over by implementing slightly different

strategies, including (a) reduced licensing fees, (b) rent reductions and (c) increased

flexibility with employees as regards the free zones in which individuals are permitted to

work.

Besides

, the country has emerged as a role model for helping other nations in times of

adversity. UAE was not only quick in providing relief to residents at home but was also

among the first few nations to send medical supplies to its neighbours and allies.

Celebrating the true spirit of Ramadan, and observing the Zayed Humanitarian Day

,

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan,

Foreign Affairs Minister, shared the importance of

human giving and philanthropy as a model for the world to follow.

"The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the necessity of prioritising humanitarian work and

ensuring global synergy and concerted action by all countries of the world in the face of

the pandemic," he said

.

Till April alone, the UAE had sent

more than

450 tonnes of aid to Europe, Africa, Asia and

the Americas,

and shipped medical and other supplies to over 30 nations.

Last week, the country sent about seven metric tonnes of aid to Sierra Leona to help

7,000 medical professionals, in addition to

six metric tonnes

of supplies to both Niger and

Mali each, in order to provide much needed assistance to 6,000 medical professionals in

both the nations

.