From the editors: UAE takes to cycling amid COVID-19 cares; Dubai hotels get ready for business

CYCLING AND COVID-19: Ever since COVID-19 struck and the range of activities that residents could freely indulge in became limited, a good number of residents have taken to cycling. Call it a sport, form of exercise or just a pastime activity, its popularity has increased multi-fold during the pandemic. While that is a good thing, what some cyclists in their newfound enthusiasm are forgetting is that footpaths are not meant for them. No doubt, the pavements in most areas of Dubai are very wide and inviting, but they are best left to the pedestrians. (COMMENT BY Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

COVID-19 NUMBERS KEEP RISING Are you keeping track of the numbers? COVID-19 infections worldwide have topped 30 million, more than 943,000 people have died, with Europe accounting for more than 200,000. WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge has said that the surge in cases should serve as a wake-up call. In India the coronavirus cases have jumped by another 96,424 infections in the past 24 hours, showing little signs of slowing down. So where does that leave us? As the numbers rise, so does our responsibility. It is a reminder that there is no place for complacency in the fight against the pandemic. Also, spare a thought for those who have lost loved ones and those who are struggling with the infection. (COMMENT BY Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

OPENING DAY It was a case of the calm before the storm on the opening day the US Open, as the world’s top golfers took advantage of kind conditions at the notoriously difficult Winged Foot course in Mamaroneck, New York. Justin Thomas led the pack with a 65 — the lowest score ever recorded in a US Open, trumping Fuzzy Zoeller’s 66 in 1984. After all the scare stories about how cruel Winged Foot can be, an impressive 21 players were in red figures. It will not stay that way. With unsettled weather on the way, Winged Foot will shake things up before we have a winner on Sunday. (COMMENT BY Matthew Smith, Sports Editor)

PREPARING FOR THE REAL THING. ‘Open for Business…’ – it is one phrase that will be most apt come October, when events and exhibitions finally mark a return to Dubai. Clear guidelines are in place, and key venues such as Dubai World Trade Centre have integrated fool-proof systems into place to ensure safety of visitors. Hotels too are raising their marketing efforts to gain attention of those wanting to come over to the city and once again be part of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) calendar. Hotels have reasons to hope that worst of the COVID-19 strikes are behind them. By December if occupancy levels head back to 60 per cent and more, it will be some respite. Dubai is ready to move from ‘virtual’ meetings to the real thing. (COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

AWARD SHOWS LIVE ON The latest to fall victim to COVID-19 is the award show. In the case of the Emmys, for instance, the event will now be hosted by late night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel live on Sunday from an empty theater in Los Angeles - which remains under strict lockdown - with winners beaming in from the safety of their homes. What rules apply to this mutated version of things though? Does one dress up for it or is it ok to show up in fancy pajamas? For reasons aplenty the gala will set expectations in terms of dress code and acceptability of speech for award shows to come. (COMMENT BY: Karishma Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor)