UPDATE as of March 26, 2020 5pm: The timings of the National Disinfection Program has been changed. Previously it was reported that all public transport will be closed over the weekend. However, the new update mentions that the public will have limited timings. Commuters can still use the public transport during the day but will be closed from 8pm to 6am. This will take effect during the weekend only starting March 26 – 8pm and will end on March 29 – 6am.
The disinfection campaign will be conducted as per the following timetable:
– From 8pm on March 26, 2020 (Thursday) till 6am on March 27, 2020 (Friday)
– From 8pm on March 27, 2020 (Friday) till 6am on March 28, 2020 (Saturday)
– From 8pm on March 28, 2020 (Saturday) till 6am on March 29, 2020 (Sunday)
Below is the announcement update by Dubai Police. Please note that only those working in ‘vital industries’ will be allowed to work. ID will be checked and verified.
Below is the Tweet from the UAEGov Twitter account, an official government Twitter account regarding this update:
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Be advised to those who will be taking the public transport over the weekend. Starting 8pm tonight Thursday – 26th March 2020 until 6am Sunday – 29th March 2020, all public transport, public utilities, and metro services will be closed.
Also Read: Public Transport Safety: Bus Shelters Closed, 2 Passengers per Taxi, Maintain Safe Distance
This is part of a disinfection program launched by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health and Prevention in collaboration with the relevant federal and local authorities. This “National Disinfection Programme’ will require a complete public utilities, public transport and metro services during the weekend.
Below is a statement about this news report shared by WAM News agency:
MoHAP & MoI to Conduct ‘National Disinfection Programme’ for all public utilities, public transport over weekend#WamNews https://t.co/qboSWKMIt9 pic.twitter.com/dTJWQEmHRL
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) March 25, 2020
National Disinfection Programme this Weekend -Metro Service, Public Transport and Utilities CLOSED
Metro services and public transportation will be stopped so to the public, be advised of changes this weekend.
The UAE has also advised everyone to stay home and only to go out during absolute necessity (buying food/medicine or reporting to work).
The workers’ personal or work identity will be checked and verified. Violators of quarantine will be penalized.
MoHAP urged the public to stay at home during the disinfection time and not to go out unless it’s absolutely necessary to get essential supplies, such as food and medicine, or working in vital sectors, including energy, telcommunications, health, education, security, law enforcement, military, postal service, shipping and logistics, medicines, water, food, civil aviation, airports, passports, banking & financial services, government media and the service sectors, including petrol stations and construction.
Pharmacies, and food retail outlets in the UAE, including cooperative societies, grocery stores, and supermarkets, will be allowed to operate 24 hours, as per a circular issued earlier by the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, NCEMA.