The entire world has been massively hit by the spread of the global pandemic COVID-19. Dubai has been putting up a brave foot in fighting the dreaded pandemic. From providing relief to just staying indoors, here’s how the city came together to fight it out!
1. Restaurants Are Going Beyond Serving Customers
As the lockdown was announced, a lot of restaurants shut the doors; but some of them continue to serve people. Delivery and Take Away has been allowed by the Government, which means that kitchens are still operating. Apart from catering to their customers, a few restaurants are going beyond and serving the health workers and the underprivileged.
A Dubai restaurant has come forward to offer free food for all healthcare workers. Bhaijaans Biryani a Pakistani restaurant announced that it will give away free food for takeaway. Restaurants across UAE are facing a tough time, especially after the official closure. Dine in closed currently and the free meals are available for pick-up only.
The restaurant carried an official announcement on Facebook. The announcement read:
“Following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), most people retreated into their homes to decrease their chances of infection. Essential health care workers, however, have done the opposite, remaining in the line of fire as they attempt to heal the sick and control the spread of the disease.
Bhaijaan’s Biryani Restaurant will be offering free meals to all health officials in UAE. REAL HEROES OF UAE. Come and Pick your meal as Dine is closed as of now. Self Pick up only.
Let’s all Pray for people who are infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine.”
The restaurant is famous for their biryani and it’s amazing to see such a small business doing its bit to help the situation.
2. Dubai Puts Its People First
The UAE has rolled out home testing so all residents have access. The National Home Testing Program was introduced for People of Determination under the guidance of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan- Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
“As the UAE continues to work to prevent the spread of Covid-19, I applaud today’s launch of the National Home Testing Program for People of Determination. It is essential that the UAE continues to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities,” Sheikh Mohamed said in a tweet.
The UAE has so far conducted nearly 650,000 Covid-19 tests, it was announced on Saturday at a Ministry of Health and Prevention virtual conference.
As the UAE continues to work to prevent the spread of COVID-19, I applaud todays launch of the National Home Testing Program for People of Determination. It is essential that the UAE continues to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) April 12, 2020
The initiative has been received well and residents are full of praise:
So thoughtful! You’re an amazing leader ??❤️??? #MBZ
— Marilyn Marriottson ???? (@MarilynMarriott) April 12, 2020
3. Humanity Is The New Religion
A new ‘Box Of Hope’ has been launched by Harmeek Singh- CEO of Plan B Group. The main initiative of this objective is to support people in the fight against Covid-19.
Box of Hope joined hands with UAE’s International Humanitarian and Charity Organisation and the UAE Food Bank to deliver free food to blue collared workers. The Punjabi Dhaba restaurant chain was roped in, to feed people across twice a day. The initiative has provided food parcels for over 1400 workers in Ajman.
“We are doing our duty, which is by maintaining hygiene standards, giving special prices to customers and giving free meals to the needy”, said the owner of Punjabi Dhaba, Armanjeet Singh.
The main objective of Box of Hope is to spread hope, and at this juncture we need to be able to address the most basic of needs such as food. Apart from food, the new initiative also supplies essentials to the needy. The box contains weekly food supplies, surgical masks, protective gloves, and hand sanitizer. As of now, over 250 boxes have been distributed across 100 homes.
Furthermore, apart from feeding the needy, the initiative also takes care of the mental health of people. Box of Hope organisms online counselling sessions with a well-known life coach, Dr Ramon Llamba.
4. Keeping Up With The Spirit
On 16 April, UAE residents across UAE came together to sing the National Anthem from their balconies to honour the healthcare workers. The ‘Together We Chant for UAE’ initiative was launched by the Maitha Bint Ahmed Al Nahyan Foundation, the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Police.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed said he shed a tear after watching the video. “Many residents on social media are singing our national anthem and I want to confess to all viewers that when I heard you, by God, I shed a tear. May God protect you and protect the country you are in, to which you are loyal like its own people,” he said in a post.