UAE Advises Against Travel Abroad

Gulf

March 5th, 9:17am

Asharq Al-Awsat

An Emirati man wearing a mask

The United Arab Emirates urged on Thursday citizens and foreign residents to avoid traveling abroad because of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities in the UAE may order medical checks on returning travelers and ask them to stay in isolation at home, state-news agency WAM cited a health ministry statement as saying. The UAE, which is closing schools and educational institutions for four weeks on March 8, said students and education workers would have to spend 14 days at home after returning from overseas. The UAE has reported at least 27 coronavirus cases, five of which have been cured. On Wednesday, Dubai's health authority said a student had contracted the virus from a parent who had traveled overseas. The UAE is home to Emirates, the government-owned airline based at Dubai International Airport. Abu Dhabi also is home to Etihad, the country's national carrier. Both airlines have encouraged staff to take time off as international travel has dropped due to the virus. There are now over 3,150 cases of the virus across the Middle East. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the country.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2164081/uae-advises-against-travel-abroad