129 Municipality sites, buildings and 23 public areas disinfected.
Dubai Municipality continued its operations, on Saturday, to sterilise 129 of its sites and buildings and 23 public areas in the emirate, in cooperation with strategic partners, as part of the ongoing national sterilisation programme.
Aimed at disinfecting public facilities and areas, the sterilisation operations feature advanced devices and technologies in accordance with international best practices.
The Dubai Municipality campaign is being conducted within the framework of preventive efforts aimed at ensuring the health and safety of all members of society. The programme, which started on Thursday, forms part of efforts undertaken by institutions and bodies in the country to ensure the highest levels of protection and prevention in the community.
The world is going through tough times, battling the coronavirus outbreak, an invisible ferocious enemy that has affected all aspects of life, including the media. Right from day one, the UAE has been taking all the right measures to contain the spread.
In Gulf News, we have been taking necessary measures to help national efforts. And in compliance with the authorities’ decision to limit the printing and distribution of newspapers and printed material, which takes effect today, we have limited our distribution to our subscribers and major sales outlets as stipulated by the government’s decision.
Newspapers are an important part of the efforts to confront the virus by providing reliable, updated news and information and spreading awareness. We will continue to do our part and service to the nation and to the hundreds of thousands of our print edition readers and the millions
Dubai: The UAE government has called upon the public to stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or perform jobs.
In a joint statement tonight, the Ministry of Interior and the National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority urged UAE citizens, residents, visitors and all those living in the nation, to comply with the instructions and guidelines issued by competent health and security authorities, primarily limiting social contacts and avoiding crowded places to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
"The public are also urged to use their own family cars with a maximum of three individuals per vehicle. They are also advised not to visit public places and maintain social distancing protocols during family gatherings as part of the precautionary measures taken to ensure public health and safety," added
The UAE has decided to close all commercial centres, and shopping malls for a renewable period of two weeks. However, hypermarkets and pharmacies in the malls will remain open.
In a statement early Monday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention and National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management said the decision, which excludes dealing with wholesalers, will come into force in 48 hours, will be subject to re-assessment.
Grocery stores and those selling fish and vegetables and pharmacies are excluded, subject to review and evaluation.
Under the decision, restaurants will not be allowed to receive customers. Instead, their services will be limited to home deliveries only.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection. Find out who is at risk and what you should do if you think you have COVID-19.
What is COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China.
Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.
Congregational prayers, including those offered on Friday, have been suspended across all mosques in the UAE for a period of four weeks. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE) said late on Monday that the decision was taken to avoid the spread of Covid-19 and protect public health.
The decision applies to all places of worship like temples and churches.
The decision was based on the directives issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and Ministry of Health and Prevention. It was guided by a fatwa issued by the UAE Fatwa Council.
"At mosques, only the Azan (call for prayer) will be given out to alert worshippers about prayer times. Mosque doors will remain closed," the GAIAE said. "The words 'pray at home' will be repeated twice at the end