UAE Urges Return to Normal And Vows No Virus Lockdown

The United Arab Emirates does not intend to return to a full lockdown despite a rise in Covid-19 cases, and will focus on testing and vaccination to keep its economy open, its trade minister said.

European nations have tightened virus restrictions as infections rise and the omicron variant spreads. But the UAE has kept disruptions to a minimum, holding major conferences, concerts and events. Before the omicron strain emerged, the UAE had managed to keep cases under control for most of 2021, but new virus cases have risen to more than 2,500 a day in recent weeks.