UAE gov’t suspends flights, shutters stores, urges public to stay home

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government on Monday, March 23, joined the rest of the world in restricting its citizens’ movement to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

It has urged the public to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or perform essential jobs.

The National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management (NECD) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have likewise decided to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers in the UAE for two weeks.

In a statement, the CAA said cargo and emergency evacuation flights would be exempt, taking into consideration all the precautionary measures adopted as per the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

“Additional examination and isolation arrangements will be taken later should flights resume in order to ensure the safety of passengers, air crews, and airport personnel and their protection from infection risks,” said the statement.

Commerce on hold

Commercial centers, shopping malls, and fish, meat, and vegetable markets will also be closed for a renewable period of two weeks. Leisure establishments such as public and private beaches, parks, swimming pools, and movie theaters will also be shut temporarily for the same period. 

Restaurants and F&B outlets can continue home delivery services during the closure period. They can also serve customers, provided only 20% of the seating capacity is used at any given time so that the necessary distance between people can be maintained. A physical distance of two meters between customers, in addition to other sanitation and public hygiene measures, must be ensured. Outdoor and self-order kiosks are exempted.

In light of these closures, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate issued an advisory suspending all frontline consular services for two weeks as well. 

Comply with the guidelines

In a joint statement, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority urged everyone to comply with the instructions and guidelines issued by competent health and security authorities, primarily limiting social contact and avoiding crowded places to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

“The public are also urged to use their own family cars with a maximum of 3 individuals per vehicle,” added the statement.

The two government agencies also urged everyone not to visit hospitals except for critical or emergency cases, and to use face masks.

“Additional instructions will be issued later involving the use of public transport, taxis, and other means of transportation,” said the statement.

The UAE law on communicable diseases, which includes fines and jail terms, will be enforced against all violators, added the statement.

Meantime, the UAE embassy and the consulate, in a public advisory, said all consular services, including passport renewal and application are suspended from March 24 to April 8.

Those with scheduled appointments for the said period will be accommodated from April 12 to May 12, Sunday to Thursday, from 8 am to 3:30 pm. 

Coronavirus in numbers

Coronavirus cases in the UAE have been on the upswing since the first week of March, as per official government announcements.

Thirteen more cases were reported by MoHAP on March 21, bringing the total at 153. There have been two deaths. 

On the brighter side, the number of COVID-19 patients who have recuperated has also steadily increased in the past weeks, and is now at 38. 

The Dubai Municipality has also implemented a massive sanitation drive, with 95 roads to be sterilized in 11 days. The drive kicked off on March 21, with Rigga Road in Deira, Dubai getting sprayed with disinfectant. – Rappler.com