UAE to Lift Gradually COVID-Related Restrictions

People wear face masks amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Global Village in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 17, 2020. (Reuters)
People wear face masks amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Global Village in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 17, 2020. (Reuters)
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UAE to Lift Gradually COVID-Related Restrictions

People wear face masks amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Global Village in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 17, 2020. (Reuters)
People wear face masks amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Global Village in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 17, 2020. (Reuters)

The United Arab Emirates will gradually lift restrictions imposed to check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the number of infections and hospitalizations has gone down, the state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.

Venues will be allowed to function at maximum capacity by mid-February, it said, citing the National Emergency Crisis Management Authority.

The oil-rich federation reported on Wednesday 1,538 new coronavirus infections and four deaths in the past 24 hours, according to WAM. The total numbers of COVID-related cases and deaths recorded in the country are respectively 862,514 and 2,273, it said.

The UAE has one of the world's highest vaccination rates.



Saudi Interior Minister, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Co-chair 2nd Security, Military Committee Meeting

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz is seen at the meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz is seen at the meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Co-chair 2nd Security, Military Committee Meeting

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz is seen at the meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz is seen at the meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani co-chaired on Wednesday the second 2024 meeting of the Security and Military Committee established by the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

Prince Abdulaziz began the meeting, which was held virtually, by emphasizing that the session aims to enhance security cooperation upon the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Saudi delegation is seen the meeting. (SPA)

He highlighted the exceptional relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar under the leadership of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Prince Abdulaziz congratulated Sheikh Saoud on his appointment as deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs. He also congratulated the Qatari government and people on their National Day and wished the country continued security and stability.

Officials are seen at the meeting. (SPA)

He praised the efforts of the working teams from both sides in implementing the agreed-upon initiatives.

The meeting, which was attended by several Saudi officials, reviewed several topics on its agenda.