So EK has come out and addressed that this is due to Omicron a few days ago. All pre-departure and bar/lounge service has been temporarily halted on the A380's.
Sigh.. I am supposed to be going JFK-DXB-MRU-DXB-MXP-JFK in mid-February in J. I really hope this lifts before then. My hopes are not high tho given the state of this wave in many countries EK serves.