Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi brings in card machines in taxis, as Dubai Metro stations reopen

Three closed stations in Al Ras and Naif districts were open on Wednesday

Plastic dividers and card machine payments are being rolled out more widely as a response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Abu Dhabi has introduced card machines in taxis to reduce the handling of cash.

The publicly owned cab fleet will also feature plastic dividers to separate the driver and passengers as part of efforts to tackle the coronavirus.

Contactless cards can be tapped onto the machine through the plastic divider and avoid the need for physical contact.

More than 6,000 taxis in the emirate were being regularly sterilised, Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said, to reduce the chance of the virus spreading.

In Dubai, the city's transport authority reopened three stations that were closed when Al Ras area was placed in quarantine.

Al Ras, Palm Deira, and Baniyas Square on the Green Line were open as of Wednesday morning.

The area was shut off on March 31 amid concerns over the number of suspected Covid-19 cases in its densely populated apartment blocks.

Several hundred cases were eventually detected as a result of testing on about 6,000 people. The area reopened once the authorities said they detected no new cases for several days.

Dubai's old town after lockdown lifted - in pictures

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  People returned to the streets of Al Ras after the authorities eased an almost month-long 24-hour lockdown. But residents were urged to only leave home for exercise, for essential supplies, or if they work in a shop that has been allowed to open. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National

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  Delhi Mughal restaurant open on Monday night

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  Some shops in the Gold Souq area are beginning to open after deep-cleaning

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  Stores in the Al Ras return to life but must close before the nightly 10pm to 6am curfew

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  Customers and staff outside Shaker Cafeteria

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  Despite the lifting of restrictions, the streets were much quieter than usually as residents voluntarily stayed home

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  Restaurant staff walk along the street in a space out line

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  At least several hundred cases were detected from the 6,000 people tested in the locked down area, doctors said

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  Shops in the Gold Souq are expected to remain quiet given the country remained closed to tourists