Tunis, Feb 9: A Tunisian court has sentenced seven terrorists to life in prison over attacks at a museum and on a beach in 2015 that left dozens of tourists dead, prosecutors said Saturday.
Two separate trials were held over the closely linked attacks which occurred just months apart in Tunis and Sousse.
The court also handed down jail terms of between six and 16 years to some of the defendants, said prosecution spokeswoman Sofiene Sliti.
Dubai, May 19: The UAE announced 832 new Covid-19 cases on Monday following 37,844 additional tests, taking the total tally of coronavirus infections in the country to 24,190.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention also reported four additional deaths, taking the death toll to 224. Meanwhile 1,065 patients also recovered after receiving the necessary treatment, taking the total number of recoveries to 9,577, the ministry said.
“We see a daily increase in cases due to the irresponsible behaviour of some people who are not aware of the consequences of not adhering to health guidelines,” said Dr Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE government.
“The widening circle of infections requires no more than a few violations by just one or two people to completely infect families with the coronavirus,” she said.
“The decision to partially ease restrictions is aimed at achieving a balance between meeting the needs of a segment of society, whose source of income is linked to the commodity trade sector, and between continuing to adhere to the recommended health guidelines, and hence many restrictions and conditions have to be followed.”
However, she also appreciated the citizens and residents adhering to the precautionary measures.
“It is heartening for us to see many families committed to avoiding family gatherings,” she said. “As we prepare for Eid Al-Fitr, we are confident that citizens and residents will continue to adhere to health and preventive guidelines, and serve as role models to the world,” she added.
Change in disinfection programme timings
Officials also announced that the UAE’s National Disinfection Programme will now be in place from 8pm to 6am, starting Wednesday, May 20, until further notice. The scheme currently runs from 10pm until 6am.
Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, spokesman of the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management said the amendment comes in light of the “increased number of Covid-19 cases, and the leniency of some members of society and their indifference to preventive measures”.
Food outlets, cooperative societies, groceries, supermarkets, and pharmacies will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the sterilisation programme period.
Meanwhile meat and vegetable shops and outlets selling fruits, toasters, mills, slaughterhouses, fish, coffee and tea, in addition to shops selling nuts, sweets and chocolate, can operate from 6am until 8pm.
Shopping centres and malls can stay open from 9am to 7pm starting Wednesday, May 20, officials added.
“We stress the importance of all stores and those authorised to operate to adhere to the applicable health and safety procedures, which include ensuring that the percentage of shoppers does not exceed 30 per cent of the total capacity,” said Al Dhaheri.
He also confirmed that children under 12 and those over 60 will not be permitted to enter malls and shopping centres.
“We warn visitors to the centres that the shopping period should not exceed two hours in order to reduce the crowding of shoppers, and to maintain the 30 per cent capacity.”
Eid restrictions
Al Dhaheri urged the public to avoid family visits and gatherings during Eid Al Fitr this year and to instead communicate using online means or by phone. He also stressed that people should refrain from distributing ‘Eid’ money to children.
“With regard to Eid prayers, we stress the importance of adhering to what was mentioned by the Emirates Legal Fatwa Council, which is to pray at home and to take health protection reasons as a legal obligation, a necessity of life, and a national commitment,” he added.
Heftier fines
Officials also announced heftier fines to ensure that the regulations are being adhered to.
“It was clear to us, in light of the follow-up, that there was reckless behaviour from some individuals, along with the insistence of some to commit a certain type of violation as well as indifference,” said Salem Al-Zaabi, acting head of the Public Prosecution for Emergencies, Crisis and Disasters.
The Public Prosecution has decided to update the list of previously announced violations and fines and administrative penalties to “suit the current situation”, he said.
Some of the new fines include:
– Dhs50,000 on educational institutions, cinemas, gym, stores, parks, beaches, pools or supermarkets that do not adhere to coronavirus measures
– Dhs50,000 fine on those who don’t adhere to quarantine restrictions
– Dhs10,000 for organising gatherings with participants also fined Dhs5,000 each
– Dhs5000 for refusing to do a Covid-19 test
– Dhs3,000 for not wearing a mask in public
– Dhs3,000 if more than three people are travelling in one car
– Dhs3,000 for companies failing to adhere to the 30 per cent limit on workforce at office
– Dhs3,000 for not adhering to social distancing
– Dhs3,000 fine for violating restrictions during the disinfection period
Repeat offenders will be referred to the Public Prosecution and can face a criminal trial with the possibility of imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and/or a fine of at least Dhs100,000.
“The pictures and names of violators will be published in newspapers and media upon the decision of the Public Prosecutor if he deems it necessary,” added Al Zaabi.
Dubai, Apr 13: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) on Monday announced 172 new recoveries in the country, taking the total recoveries to 852 cases.
"With today's 172 cases, the total number of fully recovered Covid-19 patients has become 852, while three residents of different nationalities were declared dead, taking the total number of deaths to 25," Dr Farida Al Hosani, spokeswoman for the ministry, said.
"We have also carried out up to 23,380 new tests on Monday all over the country."
Also read: UAE residency, visit visas valid until end-2020
Dr Hosani said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has launched the national home-based testing programme for determined people, be they nationals or residents.
"The program, targeting this important segment of the society who have difficulty doing tests outdoors, is part of the national drive-through testing national program."
Addressing some baseless rumours that are viral on social media, Dr Al Hosani confirmed that no one can fix a date for the peak of infected cases.
"So many studies have affirmed that physical distancing is so critical in reducing not only the number of Cobid-19 new cases but also the infection curve."
Dr Al Hosani advised the public to wear gloves whenever they go out. "However, do not touch your personal stuff when wearing gloves, particularly when using your phone, and safely dispose of them."
It is still so critical to clean your hands with water and soap on a regular basis, she underlined. "Cleaning and washing our hands are much better and safer than wearing gloves."
Wearing one-time disposable surgical gloves is highly advisable, she said. "If not available, hand-made cloth masks can be used but need to be cleaned regularly with water and soap."
Masks should be worn properly covering the nose, mouth and the chin, she pointed out. "Do not touch the internal or external parts of the face masks, while the blue colour side must be always outward."
Priority in drive-through tests are given for those with respiratory issues, senior people, and pregnant women, she said in answer to a question raised by media people.
"If you are developing no Covid-19 infection symptoms and just wish to make sure you are sound, you need to book an appointment, be aware that it will cost you Dh370."
"If developing minor symptoms, the public is urged to stay home and call any of these toll-free numbers for help: (800011111), (8001717), (800342)."
Dubai, Jun 9: Dubai's Emirates airline has begun laying off employees to reduce cost and save cash as the carrier looks to rightsize its workforce.
"We at Emirates have been doing everything possible to retain the talented people that make up our workforce for as long as we can. However, given the significant impact that the pandemic has had on our business, we simply cannot sustain excess resources and have to rightsize our workforce in line with our reduced operations. After reviewing all scenarios and options, we deeply regret that we have to let some of our people go," the spokesperson said in the statement.
Citing sources, Reuters and Bloomberg earlier reported that a majority of those being made redundant are cabin crew workers as well as a minority of its engineers and pilots, including those flew the Airbus A380.
"This was a very difficult decision and not one that we took lightly. The company is doing everything possible to protect the workforce wherever we can. Where we are forced to take tough decisions we will treat people with fairness and respect. We will work with impacted employees to provide them with all possible support," said the statement.
The spokesperson, however, didn't disclose how many employees are being made redundant in this latest round of rightsizing the workforce.
Emirates on Sunday confirmed that it extended the period of reduced pay for its staff for another three months till September. It had previously reduced basic wages by 25 to 50 per cent for three months from April, with junior employees exempted.
The airline had employed around 60,000 people at the end of its 2019-20 financial year.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said the announced job cuts at Emirates will likely not be the last given the unprecedented damage that Covid-19 has had not just on air travel, but on the entire aviation industry as a whole.
"Emirates' massive international network means that job reductions were always a last resort option as the company staves off cash burn and expenses at a time when revenues are dried up. While Emirates SkyCargo is enjoying a resurgence in activities, the reality is that this income will never offset the lost money from passenger operations," he added.
"Whilst some salary reduction schemes have prevented bigger job cuts for now, the absence of a cure or medicinal suppressant of Covid-19 means that air travel is unlikely to even reach pre-9/11 levels within 3-5 years, let alone pre-Covid-19 levels in that same time period. For that reason, Emirates' reduction in headcount is necessary to stay competitive, agile and be ready for when air travel can resume with a degree of normalcy that we have been accustomed to for decades," said Ahmad.
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