From the Editors: Keeping Seha centres open for PCR tests all through the week a welcome move

A WELCOME MOVE: Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has announced that all COVID-19 drive-through test centres across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will now be open on all seven days of the week. This indeed is good news for all those people who need to undergo COVID-19 tests urgently. The Seha directive has come as part of the UAE’s commitment to provide the public with the highest level of customer services and support. While a change in the timings at these test centres was inevitable, with the UAE moving to a new workweek from the new year, ensuring that these centres remain open on all days of the week is indeed a highly welcome move. This decision will go a long way in ensuring two very important conditions: Firstly, it is a matter of added convenience as residents and visitors can now get an RT-PCR test done on any day of the week, whenever such a test becomes necessary. Secondly, by keeping these centres open on all days of the week, overcrowding at any one centre can now be prevented, thereby ensuring that adequate social distancing is maintained by those who come to these centres to get RT-PCR tests done. This indeed is a win-win for all. [Comment by: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor

HAS COVID-19 LOST ITS STEAM? A new South African study has claimed that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is even less severe for the unvaccinated, offering fresh hope for the COVID-battered world. The research found that unvaccinated people, who are infected with the highly-infectious Omicron variant, are less likely to fall seriously ill, require hospitalisation or die compared to the previous COVID strains. About a quarter of the reduced risk of severe disease with Omicron was attributable to characteristics of the virus itself, the researchers found. An increasing number of studies are showing Omicron affects the upper part of the body, whereas other versions devastated lung function and caused severe pneumonia that led to millions of deaths. Does it mean Omicron is the beginning of the end of the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s hope so, fingers crossed. [Comment by: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

WILL OTHER COUNTRIES ALSO PREVENT UNVACCINATED DJOKOVIC FROM ENTERING? World number one Novak Djokovic is facing deportation from Australia again and is currently being detained ahead of a court hearing. Scheduled for tomorrow, it will decide if the Serbian – who is unvaccinated for COVID-19 – will be able to stay in the country, and that looks very unlikely. That means the 34-year-old will not be able to compete in the upcoming Australian Open which begins on Monday. If he was to win the tournament, he would become the most successful men’s tennis player of all time with 21 major titles. But his visa has been cancelled for a second time and the Australian government have labelled him a threat to the public. The majority of Aussies are angry that an unvaccinated player was even allowed into the country as it struggles with COVID-19 and have backed the government’s stance on the matter. It begs the question if other countries will also stop Djokovic from entering if he is not vaccinated. If he is stopped from playing in the other Grand Slam tournaments, will he ever be able to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who also have 20 titles to their name? Time will tell… [Comment by: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor ]

GOING WITH THE SOCIAL MEDIA FLOW Influencers are a big deal right now all over the world and even in the UAE. However, they often get a bad reputation for their posts. It’s not all bad if you’re smart about following the right people. There’s someone for every type of personality. Whether you’re interested in books, interior design or knitting, there’s an influencer out there that can be a source of inspiration. Emirati influencer Khalid Al Ameri is one such person who uses his platform to spread joy and positivity. Be thoughtful with those you follow and it can be a rewarding experience. [Comment by: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]