Coronavirus: Emirati toddler reunited with parents after 50 days due to travel restrictions

Father praises authorities for helping to bring his daughter back home

Emirati girl Ghalia pictured after returning to the UAE to be reunited with her parents. Courtesy @MoFAICUAE

An Emirati toddler has been reunited with her parents after being stranded outside of the UAE for 50 days.

Three-year-old Ghalia Al Amoodi travelled from Dubai to Dammam with her grandmother at the beginning of March.

Her mother had intended to follow two days later to visit the family in Saudi Arabia, reported the state news agency Wam.

However that all changed when flight restrictions were introduced because of the coronavirus crisis.

Ghalila was finally reunited with her family on Wednesday following a special intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Saudi Arabia as well as Saudi authorities.

Mohammed Al Amoodi, Ghalila’s father, thanked the UAE government and leadership for standing by his family and helping to return his daughter to them.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation ensured the return of my daughter and they also followed up on her condition all throughout her time in Saudi Arabia until her return to our homeland," said Mr Al Amoodi.

"I extend special thanks to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Interior for all their support.

“We also thank the Ministry of Health and Prevention for everything they do, especially during this crisis.”