Coronavirus: Dubai welcomes cruise liners stuck at sea

Tens of thousands aboard cruise ships repatriated, with none testing positive for virus

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

AIDA Prima, the flagship of AIDA Cruises, docks at Port Rashid in Dubai. AFP

Dubai has welcomed 13 foreign cruise ships that were at sea while most countries closed their ports because of the coronavirus pandemic, an Emirati official said on Wednesday.

The UAE has officially reported more than 8,000 infections, with 1,546 recoveries and 52 deaths from Covid-19.

The authorities in Dubai have brought in stay-at-home measures and suspended international travel.

"We have welcomed all boats that found themselves in the region, whether they were based in the Emirates or passing through," said Mohammed Al Mannai, executive director of Port Rashid.

Thirteen cruise liners carrying 29,000 passengers and 10,000 crew have been granted entry by Dubai port authorities, Mr Al Mannai said.

"We have taken the necessary strict measures with these arriving boats, including medical tests," he said.

Mr Al Mannai said the passengers and crew, none of whom tested positive, spent a long time at sea before finding a port at which to berth.

The passengers and most crew members, 80 per cent of whom were Europeans, were flown home, he said.

The empty cruise liners are still docked in Dubai, where they could remain until October, when Mr Al Mannai hopes the tourist season might resume and the port return to normal operation.

Tourism is normally lower between May and September because of the extreme heat and humidity in the UAE.

Dubai welcomed 16 million tourists in 2019 and, before the coronavirus pandemic, hoped to reach 20 million this year.

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The UAE pictured during the coronavirus

Dubai Mounted Police officers, in Al Aweer, patrol residential and commercial areas from 6pm to 6am to ensure residents are staying safe indoors during Covid-19 lockdown. Reem Mohammed / The National

Downtown Abu Dhabi shot from Al Reem Island. Victor Besa / The National

The Dubai Mounted Police department was established in 1976 with seven horses, five riders and four horse groomers. Today it has more than 130 Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, 75 riders and 45 groomers. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers patrol the streets from 6pm to 6am. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers line-up for a briefing before saddling up the horses. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Mounted Police officers, in Al Aweer. Reem Mohammed / The National

A delivery van crosses back to downtown Abu Dhabi from Al Maryah Island on a hazy day. Victor Besa / The National

Police efforts at labour camps to combat the spread of Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. Carpet salesmen waiting for customers. Victor Besa / The National

The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan date sales at the Abu Dhabi Dates market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters wait for their bus along Airport Road. Victor Besa / The National

View of the quiet street in International City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the empty road going towards Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the tunnel near the Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National