The United Arab Emirates overcame the coronavirus crisis and life is returning to normal, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said in a video published by official news agency WAM. “We overcame the COVID-19 crisis and learned many lessons from the experience. As life in the UAE begins to return to normal, we give thanks to God,” the crown prince said in the video. “Maybe our habits might change a little. We will adjust and make some changes in our habits, such as our work, our children"s education or our private lives, such as going out, seeing people and being seen by people.” Sheikh Mohamed praised the UAE"s robust response to the pandemic and pointed to the encouraging decline in infection rates in recent months. He offered condolences to all who had lost loves ones during the pandemic. “2020 was difficult and has witnessed great challenges, but the UAE, thanks to God, was able to be one of the first countries to emerge from the crisis at a time when some countries faced great difficulties.” Reports of new COVID-19 cases in the UAE have been falling steadily since early August. On Tuesday, the country’s Ministry of Health and Prevention reported 176 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, the lowest number for more than a year. Compulsory mask rules were relaxed for certain areas on September 22, and Abu Dhabi announced new rules for procedures in schools to return to normal based on vaccination rates. The announcement comes after the Expo 2020 Dubai opened its doors to visitors on Friday. — Agencies