Six more deaths, 490 new coronavirus cases and 122 recoveries were reported in the United Arab Emirates in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities, infections and recoveries in the country to 82, 10,839 and 2,090 respectively, according to a statement from the country's Ministry of Health and Prevention on late Monday carried by state news agency WAM. The new cases were identified after the ministry intensified screening for COVID-19 and expanded testing among those who were in contact with the previously confirmed patients, the statement added. Speaking during a daily press briefing on developments with regard to coronavirus in the country, Dr. Amna Al Dahhak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson for the UAE government, apprised the press that the health authorities have conducted as many as 29, 984 new COVID-19 tests, resulting in the detection of 490 new cases. Dr. Amna gave an update on COVID-19 developments and measures taken to mitigate its impact. She stressed that the UAE had taken steps to ensure food safety across all stages from production to distribution and that all food processing facilities such as restaurants, bakeries, etc. are subject to a government food safety control system that requires the presence of an accredited health supervisor. Employees at food processing facilities are required to obtain training certificates approved by food safety departments in the municipalities of the country, the most important of which is the "HACCP" certificate, which guarantees the safety of the food industry and confirms that it is completely free from all kinds of pollutants. She indicated that such health and safety control systems for food do not apply to meals that are cooked at home and that exchanging meals among families in different homes is not recommended during these times, to ensure the safety and health of everyone and avoid infection through the tools and utensils used. Dr. Amna noted that the distribution of meals cooked at home to individuals in the community is not allowed and that it is necessary to communicate with charitable organizations in the country that safely handle the cooking and distribution of food to hundreds of persons during the holy month of Ramadan. Talking about the impact of precautionary measures on employment, Dr. Amna said: "The UAE is among the first countries that have implemented a slew of measures regulating the employer-employee relationship to safeguard the rights of both parties in light of the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic." Dr. Amna highlighted the UAE government's keenness to protect the health of workers, by offering them testing, treatment and basic health services, and obligating companies and business owners to provide them with health insurance and cover diagnosis and treatment expenses. — SG
