Coronavirus: UAE to shut public transport, restrict movement from March 26-29
The United Arab Emirates will shut down public
transport and restrict movement during the course of the national campaign of
sterilization of public facilities from 8 p.m. Thursday March 26 to 6 a.m.
Sunday March 29, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.
“The Ministry of Health and Prevention and the
Ministry of Interior decided, in coordination with all relevant federal and
local institutions, to launch a ‘national sterilization program’ to completely
sterilize all public facilities, public transportation and metro service during
the weekend period, starting 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 26 until 6 a.m. on
Sunday, March 29, 2020,” the ministry’s of health said in its statement.
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It added that: “Throughout this period, traffic and
public movement will be restricted, and public transportation and metro service
will be suspended.”
Dubai residents must stay at home except for food,
medicine, essential work
The measures also stated that Dubai residents must
stay at home except for going out to purchase food and medicine, or for health
necessities or work in vital sectors.
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“The Ministries of Health and Interior call upon the
public to remain in their homes throughout the period of the national
sterilization program, and not to go out except to purchase food and medicine
requirements or for health necessity or work in the vital sectors which
include: energy, communications, health, education, security, police, military,
postal services, shipping, pharmaceuticals, the water and food sector, civil
aviation, airports, passports, the financial and banking sector, government
media and the services sector, which includes gas stations and construction
projects.”
The ministries said the authorities will be enforcing
the movement restriction by checking and verifying ID cards and business cards.
They also stressed that all food-selling outlets
such as Union Societies, grocery shops, and supermarkets, as well as pharmacies
will be allowed to operate 24/7. And called upon all members of society to
fully comply with this decision within the specified time period.
There are currently 333 confirmed coronavirus cases
in the UAE as of Wednesday, according to the ministry of health.
All malls, shopping centers, commercial centers, and
open markets except for fish, vegetable, and meat markets will be closed for
two weeks, the Ministry of Health announced early on Monday.
Restaurants will also only be limited to delivery
for the two-week period.
The UAE ordered on March 16 all hotels to close
their pubs, bars, and lounges. Gyms, electronic gaming centers, and spring
camps will also be closed until the end of the month.
Public beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, theme
parks, and tourist attractions are also closed until the end of March.
