Dubai residents can still hail taxis and some buses for essential trips while travel restrictions are in place during a nationwide sterilisation campaign. .
Uber and Careem will continue to pick up passengers in the emirate even while the clean-up drive is in full swing from 8pm to 6am, concluding on the morning of April 5.
Taxis will be allowed to operate by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority on specified routes covering government and private hospitals during the sterilisation campaign.
"During those times, you may still order an Uber but movements are to be tightly restricted and riders should not leave their homes except to buy food, basic essentials and medicines, or to go to the hospital," Uber said.
"If you must move around the city, please limit the number of riders to two per vehicle.
"We don't take such measures lightly, and we ask that you please follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Prevention."
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
However, Uber and Careem said they would not be operating during the times the sterilisation measures are in place in Abu Dhabi.
“In Abu Dhabi, we are pausing our services every day during the curfew hours and until further notice,” Uber said.
“The health and safety of our community comes first, and we will do our best to support drivers and couriers during these unprecedented times.”
Careem said it suspended services in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman on the guidance of the authorities during the partial-curfew period. The company said it will continue to operate in Dubai throughout these times, but only for important journeys such as visits to hospitals and chemists, and to pick up daily essentials.
Dubai residents need permits to leave home during the nationwide sterilisation programme.
People can obtain a clearance for urgent work, to purchase food and medicine by logging on to a website launched by the emirate's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management.
The RTA said it was suspending public transport services while cleaning took place, with the exception of 13 buses which would transport passengers to public and private hospitals in the city.
The buses available during this period are the numbers 8, 10, 12, A13, 17, 24, C01, C07, F18, F21, F34, F43 and X23. They will pick up passengers every 30 minutes.
Public transport will resume normal operations in the city from 7am each day.
The RTA also said that all marine transport services – including abras, ferries and water taxis – would be suspended until April 30.
