• The main stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road near Downtown Dubai. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles would usually be on the roads on a Thursday night. EPA
    The main stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road near Downtown Dubai. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles would usually be on the roads on a Thursday night. EPA
  • Defence Roundabout stands empty on Thursday night after the authorities ordered a 8pm to 6am curfew to allow for street cleaning. The curfew lifts during the day - but only absolutely essential travel is permitted. EPA
    Defence Roundabout stands empty on Thursday night after the authorities ordered a 8pm to 6am curfew to allow for street cleaning. The curfew lifts during the day - but only absolutely essential travel is permitted. EPA
  • The Internet City area usually a hive of activity. AFP
    The Internet City area usually a hive of activity. AFP
  • A handful of cars on the road ahead of the curfew. Only key workers including medical staff and supermarket assistants are allowed to travel. AFP
    A handful of cars on the road ahead of the curfew. Only key workers including medical staff and supermarket assistants are allowed to travel. AFP
  • Pedestrian and cycling paths stand empty after people rushed home ahead the curfew. Business Central Towers near Media City can be seen on the right. AFP
    Pedestrian and cycling paths stand empty after people rushed home ahead the curfew. Business Central Towers near Media City can be seen on the right. AFP
  • Stay home orders are likely to last for weeks as the government works to drive down the number of new cases. AFP
    Stay home orders are likely to last for weeks as the government works to drive down the number of new cases. AFP
  • Dubai Metro will undergo deep cleaning this weekend. AFP
    Dubai Metro will undergo deep cleaning this weekend. AFP
  • Once reopened, trains will run reduced numbers of passengers - about 170 down from a capacity of 650. AFP
    Once reopened, trains will run reduced numbers of passengers - about 170 down from a capacity of 650. AFP
  • Dusit Thani hotel with the lights of Downtown in the background. EPA
    Dusit Thani hotel with the lights of Downtown in the background. EPA
  • Despite road closures, restaurants and supermarkets will continue to deliver food to homes. EPA
    Despite road closures, restaurants and supermarkets will continue to deliver food to homes. EPA
  • A metro train runs near Ibn Battuta Mall shortly before the curfew. Pawan Singh / The National
    A metro train runs near Ibn Battuta Mall shortly before the curfew. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Umm Suqeim Road with Burj Al Arab in the background. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Umm Suqeim Road with Burj Al Arab in the background. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE

Deserted streets in Dubai as three-day virus programme begins

UAE asked all to stay indoors during nationwide disinfection project to curb the spread of coronavirus

Nicky Harley
Nicky Harley
London

March 27, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The normally bustling streets of Dubai were deserted on Thursday night as a three-day disinfection programme to fight coronavirus was set to begin.

The UAE asked that all people stay indoors while the nationwide disinfection scheme was carried out to try to curb the spread of the virus.

The traffic restrictions run daily from 8pm to 6am starting Thursday until Sunday morning.

Public transport, including taxis on specific routes to hospitals, were suspended from the operation.

Dubai has also closed its malls and halted all passenger flights.

The UAE has 333 confirmed cases of the virus and two people have lost their lives, while 52 have recovered.

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