UAE expats thankful to enjoy Christmas away from tough COVID-19 lockdowns

  • Date: 24-Dec-2020
  • Source: Arab News
  • Sector:Tourism
  • Country:UAE
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UAE expats thankful to enjoy Christmas away from tough COVID-19 lockdowns

Thu, 2020-12-24 01:36

DUBAI: If it weren't for the obligatory mask wearing, endless flasks of sanitizer and social distancing rules “” measures sure to remain in place as the COVID-19 pandemic continues “” you would be forgiven for thinking that the UAE was having a "normal“ year, perhaps even thriving. The Gulf nation, which has a history of surprising skeptics, seems to have found a balance between maintaining the necessary regulations to curb the virus and allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the country's many attractions. Restaurants and hotels are packed and a range of festivities to celebrate the holiday season are taking place throughout the emirate“”just like any other year.

The UAE may well be one of the only countries globally to experience some sense of normalcy now after one of the strangest years in living memory when lockdowns, cancellations, postponements, sickness, and socio-economic crises rocked the world. Even so, many expats in the UAE are still unable to visit their families abroad (or vice-versa) due to recently renewed lockdowns and travel restrictions, and so are celebrating Christmas in Dubai differently this year.

"It is upsetting not to be with family on the holidays, especially with older relatives,“ said Jennifer Adams, an