UAE visa changes; Saudi holidays announced; Dubai’s ‘silent killer’; 3-day weekend plan – 10 things you missed this week

At the same time a three-day weekend scheme in parts of the UAE have been declared a success and a new megaproject has been announced.

It has been a busy week in the Middle East with headlines on holidays and visas across the region.

Dubai made headlines after police gave a safety warning over a so-called “silent killer”. The emirate also has a new city after a district was renamed.

Across the world WHO gave an update on how countries can prepare for a nuclear incident.

If you missed any of it, check out the Arabian Business pick of the biggest news stories of the week.

Public holidays in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait in 2023

Public holidays in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and across the GCC are a mixture of religious observances and days of national celebration and recognition.

While public and private sectors in all countries offer holidays for occasions such as Eid, there are specific observances only recognised in certain countries.

It means that keeping track of every country’s public holiday and dates of business can be complex. See all the announced holidays in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait in 2023.

Sheikh Mohammed orders Dubai district to be renamed Hind City

Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has ordered that a district in the emirate be renamed.

Al Minhad and its surrounding areas will now be known as “Hind City”.

The city includes four zones, Hind 1, Hind 2, Hind 3, and Hind 4, and spans an area of 83.9km.

Dubai Police warning over ‘silent killer’

Dubai Police has issued a safety advisory on the dangers of accidentally inhaling carbon monoxide (CO), which can be produced by burning fuel in appliances such as stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and heating systems.

Butti Ahmed bin Darwish Al Falasi, director of the Security Awareness Department in the General Department of Community Happiness at Dubai Police, said that carbon monoxide exposures and poisonings occur more often during summer and winter seasons due to the lack of awareness and wrong practices of some individuals.

“In summer, the most common way of getting carbon monoxide poisoning is when the AC of an automobile is on while it’s idle in a closed garage or space without proper ventilation. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in winter as people are more likely to use gas furnaces and heating appliances seeking warmth in closed places or structures with minimal airflow. Carbon monoxide is odourless, so it goes undetected by humans and silently kills them.”

UAE changes visa rules for those living abroad

UAE residence visa holders can now apply for a re-entry permit, if they are outside the country for more than six months. Residents will have to specify the reason for staying outside and provide proof as well.

The service can be accessed by residents via the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) website, under the ‘smart services’ page.

Residents can also apply for a re-entry permit via smart service centres or typing centres.

UAE 3-day weekend plan success

Moving to a 3-day weekend in parts of the UAE has been declared a success, with productivity increasing and the amount of sick leave being taken by employees being slashed.

Government agencies in Sharjah moved to a four-day working week in January last year.At a meeting of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC) on Tuesday, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah chaired a session where the success of the move was reviewed.

The SEC reviewed a study of the three-day weekend work system and results showed an increase in employees productivity of 88 percent across Government entities. The change to the working week also led to:

• 81 per cent increase in positive communication between employees
• 61 per cent increase in the rate of providing e-government services outside of official working hours
• 74 per cent increase in the attendance rate
• 76 per cent increase in innovation and creativity
• 46 per cent decrease in sick leave rate

Dubai reveals massive new 93km climate controlled highway for walking, cycling

Dubai will soon be home to a 93-kilometre, climate controlled highway, titled ‘THE LOOP’. The new highway is aimed at connecting more than 3 million residents using a “healthy mode of transport, access to key services and locations by walking and cycling within minutes,” sustainable architecture firm URB said in a statement.

“It will provide an enjoyable climate controlled all-year environment, to make walking and cycling the primary mode of transport for Dubai’s residents, in line with its new 20-minute city initiative. The aim is to make cycling and walking the primary mode of transport for daily commutes for more than 80 percent of Dubai’s residents by 2040,” the statement added.

THE LOOP project in Dubai is in place to develop a smart cycling and walking infrastructure, however it is still at its research and development phase, URB said. Key facts of THE LOOP include:

• 93 kilometres
• 100 percent renewable energy using kinetic power
• Zero emissions transport system
• 100 percent recycled water for irrigation
• Additional amenities for residents
• Promotes health and wellbeing
• Vertical farms for food security

UAE announces major visa change for all nationalities

The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has launched a new service through its smart services, which allows visitors to extend the validity of all types of visas issued to them for 60 days.

However, this service can be availed only once, a report by Gulf Today said, citing the ICP. “They can do this only before entering the country,” ICP said.

The fee to extend a visa validity is reportedly priced at AED200, including AED100 for the smart services, AED50 for the application form and AED50 for the authority and the electronic services offered to customers.

WHO prepares for nuclear war

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its list of medicines that should be stockpiled for radiological and nuclear emergencies, along with policy advice for their appropriate management.

These stockpiles include medicines that either prevent or reduce exposure to radiation, or treat injuries once exposure has occurred.

“In radiation emergencies, people may be exposed to radiation at doses ranging from negligible to life-threatening. Governments need to make treatments available for those in need – fast,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Acting Assistant Director-General, Healthier Populations Division. “It is essential that governments are prepared to protect the health of populations and respond immediately to emergencies. This includes having ready supplies of lifesaving medicines that will reduce risks and treat injuries from radiation.”

UAE Ramadan Iftar timings revealed

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on March 23, according to local media reports, and Eid Al Fitr and the first of Shawwal will most likely fall on Friday, April 21.

During Ramadan, people would be fasting up to 14 hours per day. Each day, the duration of the fast increases by minutes.

Iftar, meaning breakfast, is the first evening meal with which individuals end their daily fast.

Saudi Arabia launches free 4-day visa

Saudi Arabia has launched a free stopover visa for visitors arriving in the Kingdom by air.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the transit visa for stopovers on Monday, January 29 and it is effective immediately.

The new Saudi visa is free and entitles its holder to a four-day stay in the Kingdom. Once issued the visa is valid for three months.