Businesses across the UAE have all been affected in some way by the Covid-19 pandemic.
But not every emirate has issued the same guidelines as part of efforts to slow the spread of the disease.
Responses have varied, with differing travel restrictions in place and separate business sectors asked to close.
Here, The National takes a look at how the guidelines vary between the Northern Emirates.
Restrictions:
Travel restrictions remain in place from 8pm until 6am in Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah as the National Sterilisation Programme continues.
Ajman has taken a stricter line and asked the public to restrict movement for the 17 hours between 2.30pm and 7.30am.
Beauty
Salons and barber shops in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah have been asked to temporarily suspend all services starting from April 7.
Recreation
Gyms, fitness centres, parks and beaches are shut nationwide.
The Ras Al Khaimah government also ordered the closure of winter camps and hobby farms, known as ezba, on March 26.
On April 2, the Sharjah government ordered all recreational marine tours, as well as yacht and boat rentals, to suspend their services.
Markets
All emirates allow supermarkets, grocers and pharmacies to remain open 24 hours a day.
Restaurants and cafes throughout the Northern Emirates also remain open for takeaway service.
Fish, vegetable and meat markets have shut in Sharjah to the general public.
Ras Al Khaimah’s vegetable market was closed on March 26 but was reopened on April 6.
The market will allow customers to shop from 7am until 2pm. Fish markets will still accept delivery orders.
Umm Al Quwain reopened its fish market on March 5. Sellers and shoppers must wear gloves and masks at all times.
The Ajman fish market is open from 9am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm, but only 15 customers may enter at a time and only 30 shops are allowed to operate.
Ports and Transport
The Port of Fujairah remains operational, as do those in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.
Bus services in Fujairah are suspended between 8pm and 6am. Taxis will not carry more than two passengers at a time.
The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority has started a campaign to deliver medicine for Saqr hospital patients between 1pm and 9pm.
Bus services in the emirate have been suspended until at least mid-April.
Sharjah bus services are suspended from 8pm until 6am, and the passenger waiting hall is closed. The marine transport station will remain closed until the end of April.
The following Sharjah routes are suspended:
Route 117 to Abu Dhabi
Route 118 to Al Ain
Route 211 to the Ajman Industrial Area
Route 113 to the Rashidiya Metro Station
Route 308 to Jebel Ali
Route 309 to Al Quoz, Dubai
Route 313 to Dubai Airport Terminal 2
Route 115 to Ras Al Khaimah
Hospitality
Several hotels in Fujairah have closed temporarily due to low occupancy.
In Ras Al Khaimah, 10 hotels were shut for independent disinfection programmes.
Four hotels have volunteered accommodation, meals and funds to front-line workers, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said.
“All tourism-related entities are being affected by the various travel restrictions imposed to curtail the outbreak, but we remain positive about the industry’s ability to manage this ever-evolving situation,” said the authority’s chief executive, Raki Phillips.
Hotels in Umm Al Quwain can provide room service, although all beaches and pools are closed.
Ali Salameh, general manager at Flamingo Beach Resort, said the 82-room hotel, which opened 20 years ago, will be forced to close permanently within four months if the situation does not change.
“Frankly, we are on hold,” Mr Salameh said. “Maybe the Ministry of Health could rent the hotel as a quarantine premises and that could at least cover us.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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MATCH INFO
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Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
