Coronavirus: Emirates' Sheikh Ahmed says health authorities 'working around the clock'

Teams have been deployed at the world's busiest airport in Dubai

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum says the government’s approach, its quick response and the agility of the healthcare sector has been very positive. Pawan Singh/The National

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, has thanked the UAE’s health authorities for their "stellar" efforts during the coronavirus crisis.

"Our highly trained teams are working around the clock to offer the maximum levels of care to our communities, and are monitoring international travellers who are transiting through or arriving in the UAE. They continue to do a stellar job, and their efforts will help our country retain its status as a global travel hub,” Sheikh Ahmed said on Saturday.

His remarks come as Dubai International airport is screening every traveller including enhanced temperature checks and nose swabs.

Sheikh Ahmed said that as the UAE “has the world’s busiest international airport" the country has a responsibility of "rolling out the world’s best-in-class health and safety measures".

Dubai International's medical teams have been able to screen a flight's passengers and crew within 40 minutes.

Emirates airline has implemented disinfection procedures including the use of chemical cleaning and high efficiency particulate air filters on all flights arriving to and departing from Dubai to remove any viruses from aircraft cabins, said Sheikh Ahmed, who is the group's chairman.

The UAE on Friday recorded 15 new coronavirus cases, the health ministry said in a statement, taking the total number of cases in the country to 45 cases.

The ministry said many of the new cases had recently arrived from abroad.

Sheikh Ahmed said that the UAE "has lived through some of the world’s worst times – whether pandemics, natural disasters or recessions – and has always emerged stronger, fitter and better. I’m confident it will be no different this time around. We remain vigilant. The UAE stands together as one.”