The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention on Friday reported 1,284 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, along with 765 recoveries. One death was also reported.

As many as new 144,602 Covid-19 tests were carried out, taking the total number of tests carried out in the country to nearly 18.95 million so far.

On December 9, the UAE approved the Chinese firm Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine that has 86 per cent efficacy. Abu Dhabi Ports has been a core member in the vaccine distribution mission with its advanced logistics capacity and capabilities. With a 19,000-square metre temperature-controlled warehouse facility on 40,000-square metre plot in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), it has the capacity to store and distribute 70 million vaccines. The newly-launched Hope Consortium has bolstered its distribution reach following a strategic agreement with leading international freight forwarders. The latest consortium partners, which include Agility, Aramex, Hellmann and Kuehne + Nagel, will help address the different steps of the logistical challenge, including ‘last mile’, with a capacity of billions of Covid-19 vaccine doses by the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Covid-19 vaccine in the UAE just before the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is a big boost for shopper’s confidence. Dubai’s month-long shopping extravaganza, that began on December 17, is one of the biggest in the emirate’s annual event’s calendar. Complete with raffle draws, family entertainment, live concerts and retail promotions, the 26th edition of the festival will be on till January 30, 2021. Organisers have said that strict Covid safety measures will be in place at participating malls and shopping destinations.

SOURCE : KHALEEJTIMES