Lockdown
#331
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 379
Re: Lockdown
This Abu Dhabi news is very interesting.
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
#332
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Lockdown
This Abu Dhabi news is very interesting.
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
Apparently.
#333
#334
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
#335
Re: Lockdown
This Abu Dhabi news is very interesting.
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
If it was because situation was bad in one or more areas of Abu Dhabi you would have seen longer "sterilization" hours or areas being shut down, but which has not happened from what I hear
My hunch is it is because Dubai and Abu Dhabi have different opinions on how fast to open up
Since Dubai actually locked down in April, they feel safer to open up earlier, while AUH may want to take it more steady. I wouldn't be surprised if Dubai is more receptive to its residents returning earlier as well
Another unlikely, more cynical view is too many Abu Dhabi residents were going to Dubai and the northern places for staycations and spending revenue there. Wouldn't be the first time Abu Dhabi residents have been directed to spend money in their own city instead of in Dubai (think of 2013 and the residency rule)
#336
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 379
Re: Lockdown
My theory is that Abu Dhabi is trying, through mass testing (e.g. in Musaffah and now in high-rise buildings downtown), to set a "baseline" of people who are known to be virus free so that businesses can re-open properly. It may have found that previously tested virus-free groups of people kept getting infected via visits from or to Dubai (or Sharjah etc) so it's trying to stop that for a bit to see if that effectively stops spread. If it does, then it's an indication that the local authorities have a good handle on who is infected and who isn't within this specific emirate.
Maybe, since Abu Dhabi did not lock down, any hint or claim by Dubai health officials in recent weeks that new cases in Dubai were mostly linked to Abu Dhabi may have ruffled some feathers, and led to this form of posturing.
Of course if it is for a week or 2, then it wont make a big difference , but if it is longer, consider it from Dubai's perspective
There are no Saudi, GCC or Chinese tourists. The only people spending in the hotels and malls and restaurants there are UAE Residents, and I somehow think during the recent Eid Holidays, Abu Dhabi residents accounted for a large number of people spending at staycations and other places, and definitely more than Sharjah residents in amount spent, even if numbers may be higher from Sharjah
Last edited by Maxima; Jun 2nd 2020 at 6:29 am.
#337
Re: Lockdown
Interesting. This would make sense if it was just movement between emirates. But this latest development also forbids movement within Abu Dhabi emirate, so I'm not sure that it would be the result of an inter-emirate argument. Unless they're playing 3D chess, of course.
Which I doubt.
Which I doubt.
#339
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Lockdown
the same rules for Bengali and Nepali indentured labourers ? My 17 years in the region tell me that it is different for them and all the others on indentures. It is easy to forget that Westerners have a privileged position in the region.
Last edited by scot47; Jun 2nd 2020 at 10:38 am.
#340
Re: Lockdown
Now it's out of the news, hopefully we can stop this constant mass testing of people to check if they are carrying a very unfatal virus and get on with life.
#341
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 17
Re: Lockdown
The British Butcher AKA Mike Barker at Geant in Mudon does freshly made ones and the frozen Greggs ones
#342
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Lockdown
His new(ish) shop in Geant in Downtown is dangerously close. The two pack of Greggs Sausage Rolls are superb, some of the fresh meats are superb and good value, some stuff is quite expensive. The service though, is always superb. Great recommendation
#343
Re: Lockdown
#344
#345
Re: Lockdown
Currently going in every other day. Told today back to normal schedule on the 21st when the curfew is lifted.
I've really enjoyed it on the whole. Had so much time to myself. Been really relaxing.
I've really enjoyed it on the whole. Had so much time to myself. Been really relaxing.