• An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images
    An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images
  • A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images
    A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images
  • One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National
    One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National
  • An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters
    An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters
  • A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP
    A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP
  • A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters
    A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters
  • An empty beach in Dubai. EPA
    An empty beach in Dubai. EPA
  • People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP
    People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP
  • Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA
    Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA
  • A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP
    A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP
  • A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP
    A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP
  • A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters
    A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters
  • A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP
    A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP
  • Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters
    Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters
  • An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg
    An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg
  • A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters
    A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters
  • A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National
  • Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
    Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
  • A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP
    A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP
  • A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters
    A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters
  • A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg
    A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg
  • A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
    A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
  • Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg
    Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg
  • Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg
    Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg
  • A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
    A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
  • Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
    Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg
  • UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam
    UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam

Government

Coronavirus: Emiratis banned from travelling amid Covid-19 outbreak

Ban on travel for UAE citizens begins Wednesday and to last 'until further notice'

The National

March 18, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Emiratis have been temporarily banned from travelling, in an effort to protect them from the spread of Covid-19.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation announced a temporary ban on Wednesday, saying it began immediately and would last until further notice.

The ministry said the decision was made "in the interest of the state and for the health and safety of its citizens, in light of the rapid spread of the virus around the world."

It said travel restrictions, imposed by countries, and the gradual suspension of flights around the world meant Emiratis may not be able to return home, should they travel out of the country.

The ministry said it would continue to update the public on any new information in regards to coronavirus.

The ban came the same day the UAE announcement it would no longer issue visas-on-arrival to citizens from more than 70 countries. The temporary suspension will not affect residents.

The UAE has 113 confirmed cases of coronavirus since its first case was reported in January. Of these, 26 have recovered.

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