The Ministry of Health and Community Protection and the Ministry of Interior announced that all public transport including the Dubai Metro will be stopped from 8pm on March 26. The halt will stay effective until 6am on March 29. The initiative is a part of a National Sterilisation Programme, in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid 19.
What’s It?
This weekend, residents are advised to stay indoors as a nationwide disinfection programme has been scheduled. From 8 pm tonight until 6 am on 29 March, public transport will be stopped and movements will be restricted.
MoHAP & MoI to Conduct 'National Disinfection Programme' for all public utilities, public transport over weekend#WamNews https://t.co/qboSWKMIt9 pic.twitter.com/dTJWQEmHRL
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) March 25, 2020
More details on this will be shared later during the day. For now, here’s what you must be aware of:
-All transportation will be halted from 8:00 pm on 26 March- 6:00 am on 29 March
-Residents are allowed to step out only if it is ‘absolutely’ essential
-Residents will be asked to present their ID in case they step out
-The vital sectors include: energy, communications, health, education, security and the police, military, postal, shipping, pharmaceuticals, water and food sector, civil aviation, airports, financial and banking, government media and the services sector.
What Else?
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced that food outlets, supermarkets and groceries can remain open for 24 hours. However, stores must ensure there is no overcrowding and the percentage of shoppers does not exceed 30%. Besides, stores must also ensure a safe distance of two metres between customers waiting for billing or in queues.
“All bodies concerned have to abide by the preventive and precautionary measures taken by the State’s competent bodies to ensure public safety and people’s well-being,” said the statement.
The announcement right after the UAE government issues a notice to close down malls, commercial centres, open fish and vegetable markets. Groceries, supermarkets and pharmacies are exempted from the close down.