The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention reported 210 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus on Thursday. The Dubai Health Authority tweeted the updated numbers and urged everyone to stay at home.
The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) has decreed that commercial establishments and pharmacies caught arbitrarily hiking prices of food products and medicines illegally or hoarding essential items will face fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh2 million.
The UAE is extending the 'suspension of entry of all foreign nationals holding valid UAE residence visa ' -who are currently outside the country – for an additional two weeks starting today.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) said that this is a bid to contain the spread the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensure their safety.
MoFAIC has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying abroad, to register in the 'Tawajudi for Residents' Service, if they need to return to the UAE in emergency situations.
National carrier of the UAE, the Emirates updated in a series of tweets, that it has received approval from UAE authorities to start flying a limited number of passenger flights which will initially carry travellers outbound from the UAE, effective April 6.
Initial flights will commence from Dubai International airport Terminal 2 to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels and Zurich.
Emirates will also carry belly-hold cargo in both directions, supporting trade and communities with the transport of essential goods.
Etihad Airways too announced last night that it plans to operate regular service to few destinations from Sunday (April 5). Over the past week, the airline has deployed special charter services to the US, Australia and Sri Lanka.
More than 259,00 people from all over the world have signed up for the 'Community Immunity Ambassador Programme' launched by the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
Many have completed the course and received their certificates and ambassador status within a week. The MBRU has been commended for launching this program which empowers many in the community who can complete the program while staying at home or stuck in various locations due to travel restrictions due to COVID-19.