Most public places in the UAE were closed down this weekend in order to break the chain of spread of the novel coronavirus.
On Sunday, businesses in Dubai were further given an option to either continue operations or close down shop for 14 days – as a precautionary measure – amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Dubai Economy Department (DED) announced yesterday that commercial establishments had freedom to choose to continue work or temporarily close from March 22. This was in line with businesses around the world cutting down or suspending operations and allowing employees to work from home or clear their leave as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed announced at a cabinet meeting that an additional AED16 billion would be pumped in as a stimulus package to support those affected heavily by the COVID-19 outbreak .
This was also the first time that he held a virtual cabinet meeting.
Sheikh Mohamed also followed up on the distance learning process that schools in UAE will continue to practise for the remainder of the second semester of this school year.
Airlines in UAE including flagship Emirates have cut down flights, while the country has restricted entry of residents and GCC citizens as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.