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

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

Mar 27, 2020

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.