t was the best of times, it was the worst of times”—the opening to Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities is perhaps one of the most accurate summaries of how we emerged from a confident and upbeat 2019 to the global pandemic of just a few months later in 2020.
But Dickens had more…he also states “it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the spring of hope.”
So, what does this mean here in Dubai, as we have emerged blinking into the sunlight from a 24-hour lockdown but still with restrictions in place that have a major impact on how we work and live.
And are there lessons from the way the authorities in the UAE, and indeed the wider Gulf, have managed the impact of COVID-19? From the outset, there was clear, decisive, and unambiguous decision-making at the government level to ensure public health safety and to limit the spread and impact of the virus.
Businesses understood who could stay open and who had to close; who needed to adopt work from home protocols; what essential supermarkets and pharmacies could open and when—and what the curfew restrictions meant for movement of individuals as parks, gyms, and beaches were closed.
So, what of the nearly 10 million people who live in the UAE? How did they react?
They listened, they understood and they cooperated. And it worked as the roads emptied, the skies became clearer, online permits for grocery store visits were simple and easy to access, and people got used to a new way of living and working.
Masks and gloves became compulsory for supermarket visits and you quickly became used to a compulsory temperature test at the entrance.
The restrictions that have been imposed—e specially with the 24-hour curfew in Dubai—have been tougher and more comprehensive than in many Western nations for example who are suffering higher rates of infection and mortality.
And while infection rates have risen in the UAE as they have worldwide—this can also be attributed to a comprehensive testing programme at rates outstripping most of the world. The country has the third highest density for testing in the world with over 1.2 million tests conducted among a population just under 10 million.
Recognizing the potential spread in densely populated areas, the Dubai authorities totally shut down two districts in the older part of the city for four weeks. It embarked on a testing programme for everyone living there and to enable treatment for anyone who tested positive and isolation processes.
These districts were reopened a few days ago, to great fanfare and a parade led by police on horseback and residents applauding the authorities as their total lockdown was lifted with everyone tested and no new cases notified.
Of course, it disrupted ordinary life for thousands of people. But it worked and people understood why it was needed. And perhaps other countries could learn from this type of firm and decisive action and clear communication and an early commitment to high ratios of testing.
A country made up of 200 nationalities from every corner of the world has cooperated with no sense of the “Covidiots” flaunting lockdown rules and endangering others that are seen in global news headlines from many countries.
In Dubai, which had the most stringent curfew in the UAE, there was a sense of liberation when it was lifted on the first day of Ramadan. But it also embraced a powerful sense of community as a small army of parents with strollers; walkers; joggers; dog walkers and cyclists—all clad in their mandatory masks—once more hit the pavements of the city.
In parallel, the UAE government has announced multi-billion dollar stimulus packages to help the private sector, including funding for Emirates Airline; waived or discounted utility and other costs, and empowered banks to provide emergency funding for SMEs among others.
It recognised the need for immediate short-term relief for the tourism and retail sectors among others who were forced to suspend their business operations because of the impact of the virus.
And as we slowly come out of lockdown in the UAE and the Gulf—it is appropriate that these changes coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan. A time for reflection, to spend time at home with their families, to think of others less fortunate, and for quiet contemplation.
The UAE has also reinforced its humanitarian reputation by providing nearly 350 million tons of medical aid to 34 countries—including badly needed personal protection equipment to healthcare professionals in the UK.
This is also a period in our history that despite the challenges of social distancing has in many ways brought communities and individuals closer together than ever before—and there is no doubt will impact and shape the future for so many of us living and working here in our adopted nation of the United Arab Emirates. Ramadan Kareem from Dubai.
a global affairs media network
Lessons from UAE’s COVID-19 Lockdown
May 10, 2020
"I
t was the best of times, it was the worst of times”—the opening to Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities is perhaps one of the most accurate summaries of how we emerged from a confident and upbeat 2019 to the global pandemic of just a few months later in 2020.
But Dickens had more…he also states “it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the spring of hope.”
So, what does this mean here in Dubai, as we have emerged blinking into the sunlight from a 24-hour lockdown but still with restrictions in place that have a major impact on how we work and live.
And are there lessons from the way the authorities in the UAE, and indeed the wider Gulf, have managed the impact of COVID-19? From the outset, there was clear, decisive, and unambiguous decision-making at the government level to ensure public health safety and to limit the spread and impact of the virus.
Businesses understood who could stay open and who had to close; who needed to adopt work from home protocols; what essential supermarkets and pharmacies could open and when—and what the curfew restrictions meant for movement of individuals as parks, gyms, and beaches were closed.
So, what of the nearly 10 million people who live in the UAE? How did they react?
They listened, they understood and they cooperated. And it worked as the roads emptied, the skies became clearer, online permits for grocery store visits were simple and easy to access, and people got used to a new way of living and working.
Masks and gloves became compulsory for supermarket visits and you quickly became used to a compulsory temperature test at the entrance.
The restrictions that have been imposed—e specially with the 24-hour curfew in Dubai—have been tougher and more comprehensive than in many Western nations for example who are suffering higher rates of infection and mortality.
And while infection rates have risen in the UAE as they have worldwide—this can also be attributed to a comprehensive testing programme at rates outstripping most of the world. The country has the third highest density for testing in the world with over 1.2 million tests conducted among a population just under 10 million.
Recognizing the potential spread in densely populated areas, the Dubai authorities totally shut down two districts in the older part of the city for four weeks. It embarked on a testing programme for everyone living there and to enable treatment for anyone who tested positive and isolation processes.
These districts were reopened a few days ago, to great fanfare and a parade led by police on horseback and residents applauding the authorities as their total lockdown was lifted with everyone tested and no new cases notified.
Of course, it disrupted ordinary life for thousands of people. But it worked and people understood why it was needed. And perhaps other countries could learn from this type of firm and decisive action and clear communication and an early commitment to high ratios of testing.
A country made up of 200 nationalities from every corner of the world has cooperated with no sense of the “Covidiots” flaunting lockdown rules and endangering others that are seen in global news headlines from many countries.
In Dubai, which had the most stringent curfew in the UAE, there was a sense of liberation when it was lifted on the first day of Ramadan. But it also embraced a powerful sense of community as a small army of parents with strollers; walkers; joggers; dog walkers and cyclists—all clad in their mandatory masks—once more hit the pavements of the city.
In parallel, the UAE government has announced multi-billion dollar stimulus packages to help the private sector, including funding for Emirates Airline; waived or discounted utility and other costs, and empowered banks to provide emergency funding for SMEs among others.
It recognised the need for immediate short-term relief for the tourism and retail sectors among others who were forced to suspend their business operations because of the impact of the virus.
And as we slowly come out of lockdown in the UAE and the Gulf—it is appropriate that these changes coincide with the Holy Month of Ramadan. A time for reflection, to spend time at home with their families, to think of others less fortunate, and for quiet contemplation.
The UAE has also reinforced its humanitarian reputation by providing nearly 350 million tons of medical aid to 34 countries—including badly needed personal protection equipment to healthcare professionals in the UK.
This is also a period in our history that despite the challenges of social distancing has in many ways brought communities and individuals closer together than ever before—and there is no doubt will impact and shape the future for so many of us living and working here in our adopted nation of the United Arab Emirates. Ramadan Kareem from Dubai.
