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Dubai’s Efforts to Recover from COVID-19 Early response - dda
Dubai’s Efforts to Recover from COVID-19
Early response
From the onset of the pandemic, Dubai implemented robust public health measures, including widespread testing, contact tracing, and rapid vaccination campaigns. The emirate was among the first in the world to roll out mass testing and provide free vaccines to all residents, contributing to one of the highest vaccination rates globally.
Economic Stimulus and support
To mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, Dubai's government launched several economic stimulus packages totaling AED 7.1 billion between March 2020 and September 2021. These measures included fee reductions, rent deferrals, flexible payment plans, and the suspension of fines, providing targeted support to sectors most affected by the pandemic, such as tourism, hospitality, and retail.
Tourism Recovery
Dubai was one of the first cities globally to reopen to international visitors, thanks to strict safety protocols and comprehensive guidelines for businesses and travelers. The “Dubai Assured” stamp program reassured residents and tourists alike that public places adhered to health and safety standards.
Digital Transformation
The pandemic accelerated Dubai’s ongoing digital transformation. Government services shifted online, remote work and distance learning were effectively implemented, and smart city initiatives gained momentum. Dubai continued to invest in innovation, fintech, and emerging technologies to future-proof its economy and improve public services.
Distributing Vaccines Globally
The Emirates airline vaccination hub
Emirates SkyCargo, the airfreight division of the Emirates airline, opened its Emirates SkyCentral DWC cargo terminal in Dubai South to serve as a dedicated anchor hub for global COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The facility could hold around 10 million vials of vaccines at any one point of time.
Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance
Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance (DVLA) was launched to speed up distribution of COVID-19 vaccines around the world through the emirate of Dubai. DVLA extends support to the World Health Organization’s COVAX initiative and its efforts to equitably distribute two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Through this alliance, Dubai was able to store a large volume of vaccines at a time and bring in and distribute vaccines to any point around the world within 48 hours.
Policies and regulations on COVID-19
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