Restrictions on movement in and out of Abu Dhabi and between the emirate's regions have been extended by another week, starting on Tuesday.
The travel restriction, which began on June 2, was brought in to ensure Abu Dhabi's huge testing drive worked effectively in containing the spread of Covid-19.
“This step aims to enhance the effectiveness of the expanded National Screening Programme, which tested more than 388,000 people in the past two weeks, among precautionary and preventative measures being taken to curb the spread of Covid-19,” Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Twitter.
Residents of Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain and Al Dhafra can travel within their cities but not enter or leave them. And they cannot go to other emirates.
The measure does not stop people leaving their homes, other than during the nightly disinfection hours – 10pm to 6am.
Those working in vital sectors, air passengers and other people with special circumstances can seek exemption.
On May 31, Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Health, said the decision on the initial one-week ban came as the emirate stepped up its testing drive in densely populated areas.
Officials in the emirate are screening all workers living in Mussaffah, an industrial area on the outskirts of the capital to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
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Visitors take photos from At The Top, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Staff of Hafiz Mustafa in facemasks at their shop in The Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Babki sanitises the railing at the Ice Rink in The Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Skating shoes are sanitised at the Ice Rink in Dubai Mall. Reem Mohammed / The National -
A staff with the parrots at Dubai Mall’s Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National -
A staff holds a thermometer at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National -
Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National -
A woman skates at Dubai Mall’s Ice Rink. Reem Mohammed /The National -
Signs requiring people to social distance at Dubai Mall’s Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Reem Mohammed / The National -
General view the safety rules at Times Square Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Green planet biologist Sara Stevens with an Umbrella Cockatoo at The Green Planet. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Green planet biologist Peter Njoroge holds a Blue tongued skink. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Green Planet has opened with Covid-19 measures in place. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A person wearing protective face mask during the hot and humid weather in Al Satwa area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai’s skyline seen from At The Top, Burj Khalifa. Reem Mohammed / The National
