,The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
is the premier business organization dedicated to
advancing bilateral commercial relations. By leveraging its
extensive networks in the U.S. and in the region, the U.S.-
U.A.E. Business Council provides unparalleled access to
senior decision makers in business and government with
the aim of deepening bilateral trade and investment.
1
, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
2001 K Street
NW Suite 201
North
Washington
D.C.
+202.863.7285
g
usuaebusiness.org
INTRODUCTION
The coronavirus pandemic has tested public health
systems globally. Few novel and infectious diseases
around the world have ever posed such dramatic
challenges as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which
causes COVID-19. With highly efficient human-to-human
2
, transmission and high mortality rates, COVID19 led the
World Health Organization to declare a public health
emergency of international concern and caused
countries around the world to reassess their public
health capabilities. The United Arab Emirates, like other
members of the international community, faced the
unprecedented challenge of ensuring public health and
safety while minimizing economic fallout.
The U.A.E. government quickly took precautionary health
measures after its first recorded case of COVID-19 on the
29th of January 2020, setting the stage for the U.A.E. to
be recognized as a global leader in its COVID-19
response. The U.A.E. banned large gatherings, limited
international travel, required mandatory quarantines for
travelers and those potentially exposed to the virus,
encouraged telework, and began an unparalleled effort
of mass testing. These efforts by the U.A.E.’s leadership
allowed the U.A.E. to be globally ranked as one of the top
countries, and the highest in the Arab world, in terms of
its COVID-19 response.
The U.A.E. government also quickly charted the path to
post-pandemic recovery by prioritizing vaccinations for
its people. It began administering its first vaccine
authorized for emergency use, China’s Sinopharm
vaccine, in December 2020, quickly followed by the
3
is the premier business organization dedicated to
advancing bilateral commercial relations. By leveraging its
extensive networks in the U.S. and in the region, the U.S.-
U.A.E. Business Council provides unparalleled access to
senior decision makers in business and government with
the aim of deepening bilateral trade and investment.
1
, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
2001 K Street
NW Suite 201
North
Washington
D.C.
+202.863.7285
g
usuaebusiness.org
INTRODUCTION
The coronavirus pandemic has tested public health
systems globally. Few novel and infectious diseases
around the world have ever posed such dramatic
challenges as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which
causes COVID-19. With highly efficient human-to-human
2
, transmission and high mortality rates, COVID19 led the
World Health Organization to declare a public health
emergency of international concern and caused
countries around the world to reassess their public
health capabilities. The United Arab Emirates, like other
members of the international community, faced the
unprecedented challenge of ensuring public health and
safety while minimizing economic fallout.
The U.A.E. government quickly took precautionary health
measures after its first recorded case of COVID-19 on the
29th of January 2020, setting the stage for the U.A.E. to
be recognized as a global leader in its COVID-19
response. The U.A.E. banned large gatherings, limited
international travel, required mandatory quarantines for
travelers and those potentially exposed to the virus,
encouraged telework, and began an unparalleled effort
of mass testing. These efforts by the U.A.E.’s leadership
allowed the U.A.E. to be globally ranked as one of the top
countries, and the highest in the Arab world, in terms of
its COVID-19 response.
The U.A.E. government also quickly charted the path to
post-pandemic recovery by prioritizing vaccinations for
its people. It began administering its first vaccine
authorized for emergency use, China’s Sinopharm
vaccine, in December 2020, quickly followed by the
3
