RIYADH, MAY 23  — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman sent on Friday messages of condolences to Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi on the crash of a civilian passenger plane in the city of Karachi, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

“We learned about the crash of a civilian passenger plane in the city of Karachi, resulting in deaths and injuries. We on behalf of the people and government of Saudi Arabia extend our sincere condolences and profound sympathy to you and the families of the deceased and Pakistani brothers.” “We pray to God Almighty that the deceased be blessed with the mercy and forgiveness, give their loved ones patience and solace, grant the injured a speedy recovery and protect you and the people of Pakistan from all misfortune and harm,” King Salman said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency.

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense also sent a message of condolences to the Pakistani president.

“I have received the news of the crash of a civilian passenger plane in the city of Karachi and the resulting deaths and injuries. I express my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to you and the families of all the deceased, praying for God Almighty’s mercy for the deceased and a speedy recovery,” Crown Prince in a statement.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, MAY 23 — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the meeting in Andijan paid special attention to improving the living conditions of the population, developing infrastructure in the region.

This year, 6 thousand 196 houses are being built in the region, which is twice as much as in the last year.

The Head of the state emphasized the need for introducing a new support system for families in need of housing, under which 819 families in Andijan region will receive appropriate subsidies.

This year it is planned to build and repair 642 kilometers of roads and 85 kilometers of drinking water supply networks.

Instructions have been given on improving the quality of education, on organization of vocational guidance starting from the 7th grade. This will play an important role in ensuring employment of graduates in the future.

“Most of all I am concerned about the issues of youth and women. They need support and attention. If they have knowledge, favorite work, they will find their place in life, and their worldview will change. Then parents and families will be satisfied with the state”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Issues of developing tourism and information technologies, crime prevention were also discussed.

Deputy Prime Ministers, industry leaders reported on the ongoing work. Views of the khokims of districts were heard via videoconference.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, MAY 23 — Representatives of the Agency for Gardening and Greenhouse Development under the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, the Agency for the Implementation of Projects in the Field of Agriculture and Food Supply of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Embassy of our country in Madrid held a joint webinar with the leadership of the Spanish agricultural company “Viveros Verón” on the topic “Features of growing stone fruit crops in cold climates”.

The event was also attended by Spanish agricultural experts.

As part of the webinar, a presentation was prepared by Maria Melgares, Development Director of Viveros Verón. She introduced the participants to modern know-how in the field of intensive gardening. It was noted that at present the company successfully uses various technologies for frost protection, such as ventilation (mixing air to increase the temperature in the corresponding section of the garden), creating smoke (the “cloud” effect with the concentration of warm air in the lower layers), surface spraying with water (this method works on the principle that each gram of water gives 80 kcal when entering the solid phase in the form of ice) and others.

The Spanish side has confirmed that these technologies can be used in the implementation of investment projects for the introduction of intensive horticulture and the construction of a nursery for fruit tree seedlings, the implementation of which in the Tashkent region, Viveros Verón has planned for 2020-2021.

BAKU, MAY 23  — President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev has said I was deeply saddened by the news of heavy casualties as a result of a passenger plane crash of Pakistan International Airlines near the city of Karachi.

President said, on the occasion of this tragedy, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deepest condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who were killed.

May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace.

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan,  MAY 22 – On 21 May, a humanitarian flight provided by the Turkish government to Uzbekistan will arrive on a charter flight “Uzbekistan Airways” from Istanbul to Tashkent.

The humanitarian aid party of 50 Turkish-made artificial lung ventilation (IVL) devices. The issue of obtaining artificial lung ventilation devices manufactured in Turkey for the needs of Uzbekistan was worked out free of charge by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Ankara.

The head of the main department of international relations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey, Professor Selami Kilic, emphasized that although Turkey had not yet fully provided for its own needs for such devices, it, as a fraternal country, provided the corresponding batch of medical equipment to Uzbekistan.

“The prototype of the ventilator was developed jointly by engineers from four large Turkish companies – Arçelik, ASELSAN, Baykar Makine and Biosys,” he said. – The first 100 ventilation devices were transferred to the citywide hospital in the Bashaksehir district of Istanbul. Serial production and testing of these machines has been established at the Arçelik factory in Istanbul. At this enterprise, it is planned to produce 250 ventilation devices daily.

According to experts, Turkish ventilators are quite competitive and of high quality in comparison with many other analogues.

A batch of ventilation devices will be provided to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan ,  MAY 22 – President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a resolution “On celebration of Ramadan Hait” on 21 May, in line with which 24 May is announced as holiday in Uzbekistan.

The document was adopted taking into account role and importance of Eid ul-Fitr in spiritual life of Uzbekistan, preserving and praising national-spiritual values.

According to the document, first day of Eid ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan month, falls to 24 May. The holiday will be widely celebrated in Uzbekistan.

The document noted that Ramadan Hait will be observed with observance of sanitary-hygienic rules.

DUBAI, MAY 21  / DNA / =  Emirates has unveiled multi-faceted measures for employee and customer care at every step of the travel journey, redefining safety and hygiene standards on board and on the ground. The new measures took effect today, with the resumption of regularly scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations.

“Emirates is implementing a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the traveller’s journey, to enhance the sanitisation of all touchpoints, and ensure the health and safety of our customers and employees. The risk of catching an infection on an aircraft is already very low, but we have spared no effort in reviewing and redesigning every step, from check-in to disembarkation. Every measure implemented is an additional reduction in risk, and taken altogether, our aim is really to make flying as safe as possible.

“We are working with all the stakeholders in Dubai – including the airport, immigration, health and aviation authorities to implement such measures, and we will continue to review and consult expert advice for any development and changes. We are all aware that we have to adapt to different practices during this pandemic in our day to day activities.

All these measures, in combination with the proactive pandemic management strategies that the UAE has taken, show the seriousness with which we are taking the health and safety of our local and global communities and will give confidence to the public,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer.

Check-in

Emirates has introduced complimentary hygiene kits to be given to every passenger upon check in at Dubai International Airport and on flights to Dubai. These kits comprise of masks, gloves, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitiser. The hygiene kits supplement a slew of additional measures already introduced to keep customers safe.

Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport in Dubai, while only masks are mandated on Emirates flights. On arrival at the airport, thermal scanners at various areas monitor the temperatures of all passengers and employees. Physical distancing indicators have been placed on the ground and at waiting areas to help travellers maintain the necessary distance at check-in, immigration, boarding and transfer areas.

The airport team has also installed protective barriers at each check-in desk and immigration counter to provide additional safety reassurance to passengers and employees during interaction over the counter.

Transit passengers

Customers travelling through Dubai International Airport and transferring onto another flight, will go through thermal screening upon disembarkation. Transfer desks at the airport have also been installed with protective barriers as a precautionary measure. Airport staff, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) will direct customers from a safe distance for extra assistance. Customers will be given an additional hygiene kit at the gate before boarding their connecting flight.

Boarding

The boarding sequence has been staggered and passengers board by row, from the last row to the first, in small numbers. The waiting area has also been modified to ensure all customers observe social distancing. Emirates boarding agents, dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE), will facilitate the boarding sequence. The boarding gates are deep cleaned and disinfected after the boarding of every flight.

On board

All cabin crew on board will be fully kitted out in PPEs. To uphold the highest standards of safety and hygiene, Emirates has added a cabin service assistant (CSA) to the crew complement on flights over 1.5 hours. The CSAs will ensure lavatories are cleaned at frequent intervals of every 45 mins. Each lavatory has been equipped with sanitising soap and hand washing instructions.

To minimise the risk of infection by touch, magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. In premium classes, single use menus and wine lists will be provided to passengers. Comfort items such as mattresses, pillows, blankets, headphones and toys will be hygienically sealed. Emirates will resume its service with hot meals, using high quality, cutlery and crockery, sterilised before each use.

Cabin baggage have to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board. Customers are reminded to bring pens to fill out Health Declaration Forms required for some destinations.

Emirates’ modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97% of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment. After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.

Emirates crew

To safeguard its employees, Emirates’ flight and cabin crew are provided with cars for pick up and drop off at their home at the beginning and end of their duty. Operating crew check in for their rostered flights in a dedicated crew airport facility before being transported to the aircraft. Layovers in destination cities have been reduced where possible and on long-haul flights, where layovers are necessary, crew are put up in individual rooms in hotels. On return to Dubai, where all Emirates cabin crew are based, COVID-19 tests are done on all crew. Every crew member has been mandated a 14-day quarantine in their homes after every flight, unless they are on duty.