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Dubai Blamed for Virus Cases Abroad; Questions Swirl at Home

Associated Press

   DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - After opening itself to New Year's
   revelers, Dubai is now being blamed by several countries for spreading
   the coronavirus abroad, even as questions swirl about the city-state's
   ability to handle reported record spikes in virus cases.

   The government's Dubai Media Office says the sheikhdom is doing all it
   can to handle the pandemic, though it has repeatedly declined to answer
   questions from The Associated Press about its hospital capacity.

   "After a year of managing the pandemic, we can confidently say the
   current situation is under control and we have our plans to surge any
   capacity in the health care system should a need rise," it said.

   However, Nasser al-Shaikh, Dubai's former finance chief, offered a
   different assessment Thursday on Twitter and asked authorities to take
   control of a spiraling caseload.

   "The leadership bases its decisions on recommendations from the team,
   the wrong recommendations which put human souls in danger and
   negatively affect our society," he wrote, adding that "our economy
   requires accountability."

   Dubai, known for its long-haul carrier Emirates, the world's tallest
   building and its beaches and bars, in July became one of the first
   travel destinations to describe itself as open for business. The move
   staunched the bleeding of its crucial tourism and real estate sectors
   after lockdowns and curfews cratered its economy.

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