'A place where rules don't apply': Dubai, the COVID party capital

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Since becoming one of the world's first destinations to open up for tourism, Dubai, has promoted itself as the ideal pandemic vacation spot. It cannot afford otherwise, analysts say

Masks off the minute you step inside. Bars packed and pulsing like it’s 2019. Social media stars waving bottles of champagne. DJs spinning party tunes through multi-hour brunches.

While most countries banned tourists from the UK over fears of the fast-spreading virus variant found there, Dubai, home to some 240,000 British expats, kept its doors open for the holidays. Emirates flew five daily flights to London’s Heathrow Airport. For those who do die of COVID-19, long-haul airline Emirates offers to pay $US1800 to help cover funeral costs.

On Tuesday, dozens of cars idled at a drive-in coronavirus clinic on the desert outskirts awaiting tests. At Dubai’s American Hospital, where a makeshift tent administers virus tests in a parking lot, a guard said wait times stretched over two hours. At least 80 people lined up as the call to afternoon prayers echoed overhead.

Relations between service-heavy Dubai and oil-rich Abu Dhabi can get tense. During the 2009 financial crisis, Abu Dhabi needed to rescue Dubai with a $US20 billion bailout. This time, it's unclear whether Dubai can count on another cash infusion, given the crash in global oil prices.

 

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dubia is a shithole filled with over glorified rich ppl who probably need a good islamicrevolution When oil runs out it will be a giant wasteland of mega buildings

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