Coronavirus: UAE reports 1,078 Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths on Saturday

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday reported 1,078 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 857 recoveries. Two deaths were also reported.

The new cases were identified after conducting additional 98,168 tests, the ministry said.

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. The UAE has conducted over 9.2 million tests till date as part of the country's massive screening programmes to combat the spread of Covid-19.

However, with a spike in Covid-19 cases in recent days, the ministry has urged the public to follow all preventive guidelines. Restaurants in Dubai have been asked to restrict the number of people in each group to eight individuals per table in a general restaurant and five individuals per table in case of a shisha cafe. As per the new guidelines, restaurants and cafes must make sure that mask mandates and social distancing protocols are followed by customers, irrespective of the nature of the group they are in, which includes members of the same family or otherwise. Venues and conferences in Dubai will have to wind up their activities by 1am at the latest.

The emirate's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), has also issued a circular stating that all entertainment activities are to conclude by 1am. The authority informed hotel establishments that food and beverage services should be strictly suspended after 3am, including the closing of venues.

Meanwhile, religious leaders in Abu Dhabi will now be able to take Covid-19 tests for free, local authorities announced on Friday. The test fee exemption comes as part of the reopening guidelines set for places of worship in the Capital.